whose versatility has seen him play in
currently represents the
and has also had a taste of the Green and
Gold.
up for the Springboks where he added a
new attacking dimension to the backline.
The selectors decision to put him on the
squad did not go unrewarded as he scored
three tries in nine tests and was soon
viewed as a player who doesn't wait for
opportunities to present themselves, but
rather creates them around him.
in the Western Cape, Willie says it was
always his dream to play rugby, a passion
his father started when he bought him his
first pigskin when he was a mere seven.
Willie says he spent hours in the backyard
playing with this ball.
I watched with him. As I was from the
Western Cape I was a big Stormers fan
and always dreamt of playing for them,"
says Willie. "My whole life has been centred
around the game, but as a career it really
started for me when I was accepted by the
Boland academy."
two years, he then got snapped up by the
Griquas, which is where he really started
to shine as a player. In July 2013 it was
announced that Willie had signed a new
contract with the Cheetahs until 2015, which
will see him play domestic rugby with a Free
State Cheetah shirt on from 2014 onwards.
realised when he played on their right
wing this season. While he stepped up to
fill the void left by peer and fellow player
JP Pietersen, his ability, talent and sheer
brilliance on the field is going to make him a
difficult player to simply put on the bench.
it would have to be when I was chosen to be
in the starting 15 for the Springboks. When
I was standing on the field and singing the
national anthem it all fell into place for me,
it was the most amazing moment of my life,"
mentions Willie.
never changes for me as I am able to zone
into the game. During my first game I was on
such a high that I was at one point standing
in the wrong place and Bryan (Habana) told
Willie, who unashamedly tells us that one
of his favourite players of all time was All
Black player (fly-half), Carlos Spencer. Why?
Because according to Willie, Carlos was
never afraid to try new things, something he
himself aspires to.
was playing really well for a domestic side
and just never got that national call up. So
I had to make a call, do I head off overseas
to play or do I wait to get that call up for
the Springboks," he tells us. "I made the
right call. I stayed and I have played for the
Springboks, when you play for the boks it is
everything and you have to approach every
game with you best foot and treat it like your
last as you never know when you will get
another call up for the team."
enjoy yourself. It is this very attitude that
he takes with him to the field, saying he
goes out on the field with the intention
of enjoying himself and he tries to show
He adds that it is always important to
remember that you are there to keep your
fans happy and to play so well that you
silence your critics at the same time.
he really is enjoying playing in the wing
position, albeit he still loves to play fullback.
I live for it. I am constantly wanting to train
and get better and better, weekend after
weekend. I have an exceptionally supportive
family who are always there to support me
when they can be and are a big part of who I
am and how I play," he says.
day as if it were their last, as you never
know when you will get a second chance to
try something again," ends Willie.
you are bound to see when he takes to the
field, there is only one way for Willie and that
is all the way to the top.
Province: Griquas
Springbok number: 848
Test debut: 8 June 2013 vs Italy in
Tour matches: 3
Total Springbok matches: 9
Win ratio: 7-2-0
Marital status: Single
Favourite film: The Matrix
Favourite music: All kinds of music,
including Afrikaans
Favourite food: Sushi, Steak
Favourite holiday: Mossel Bay,
Hartenbos
Favourite colour: Blue
Primary school: Locherhof
Secondary school: Paul Roos
Gymnasium
Morning or evenings: Nope not a
morning person!