Damian Willemse has proven to be a lethal attacker and strong defender ever since. His class aside, he brings versatility to the squad as he is equally adept at fullback and centre, and provides flyhalf cover, while he can also kick at goals. He rose through the ranks, starting with SA Schools team in 2015 and then Junior Springboks in 2017 before making the step-up to the Springbok team in 2018. The double RWC-winner was called up as a replacement in Japan in 2019 and was a regular started in 2023 in France.