'Champion of detail' Willemse brings up 50 caps for Stormers: 'To know him is to love him'

Stormers coach John Dobson took a hard line against Damian Willemse's detractors as the adroit utility back brings up 50 caps for the Cape side on Sunday.

It's hard to believe that most of the 50 caps have been dominated by conversations about where he plays in a team's backline. It's a belaboured debate, and the short of it has always been: is the Strand lad a 10, 12 or 15 on the rugby field?

The answer remains anyone's guess, but what hasn't been in dispute is that Willemse has been dismissed more times than he's been affirmed. As a result, those who know better than us have often tried to explain exactly who he is, triggering more questions than answers.

When he, together with Dobson, appeared to face the media on Wednesday - and, in announcing Willemse's milestone, Dobson was not about to let the opportunity to extol his star go.

As the press conference reached its denouement, at 19 minutes and 20 seconds, Dobson leaned forward with his chest and spoke glowingly of Willemse, who gazed at the camera as his coach lauded him.

"If you work with this guy and understand the depth of who he is, and I'm not just talking about the rugby player… he is one of the most special people I've ever had a chance to work with," said Dobson of Willemse.

"For anyone who doubts Damian Willemse, I would say meet him or watch him closely on the rugby field or come watch him train. I'm extremely proud of who he is."

Remember, Willemse is a product of a school system – Paul Roos - that adored him, so, when he seemed to rub the people the wrong way with his performances, he lost his confidence.

There were quarters that duly backed their kid - such as his Strand community to which he is devoted - but the voices contributing to the chaos took a strain