Forum Home Forum Home > Rugby Competitions > United Rugby Championship
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - South African hooker Willemse to join Edinburgh
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login


The Lions next play the Ospreys in Swansea in the URC on 30 March 2024, kickoff is at 17:05

South African hooker Willemse to join Edinburgh

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
Transvaal View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group


Joined: 30-Mar-2016
Status: Offline
Points: 39038
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Transvaal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: South African hooker Willemse to join Edinburgh
    Posted: 26-Mar-2019 at 10:55am
Former South African under-20 hooker Mike Willemse will join Edinburgh from fellow Guinness PRO14 side Southern Kings - the second of five signings to be announced on #MagicMonday.

Willemse, 26, puts pen to paper on a two-year deal and will join the club following the conclusion of the current Guinness PRO14 campaign.

On joining the capital club, Willemse, said: “I’m truly ecstatic to be joining such a prestigious club with such a rich history.

“It’s an awesome opportunity for me to progress my rugby career. It’s easy to see the professionalism as well as the upward curve that the team and squad is currently undergoing.

“Working with Richard Cockerill is something that I’m really looking forward to. I have no doubt that he will have a positive influence on my personal game and I look forward to learning as much as possible.”

Head Coach Richard Cockerill, said: “Mike has got a lot of experience in Super Rugby. He’s a very competent hooker that plays in the style of Stuart Mclnally.

“He’s all-action, very good over the ball and extremely dynamic. Similar to the South African boys already in the team, we expect him to make a big impression on the squad.

“We’re delighted to have him. We’ve got a good selection of Scottish hookers, but Mike is a guy who’ll be with us all year round and will no doubt push everybody to the next level.”

Willemse came through the ranks at the Eastern Province Kings, while playing Varsity Cup rugby with UCT Ikey Tigers – scoring three tries in six starts.

Following the conclusion of the 2013 Varsity Cup, Willemse was called up to Western Province’s Vodacom Cup squad where he made his first team debut against Argentinian side Pampas XV.

Willemse made his Currie Cup debut during the same campaign as he came off the bench against the Sharks. The hooker was named in the Stormers Super Rugby squad for the 2014/15 season.

The Cape Town native joined current club Southern Kings in 2017 and has thus far made 36 appearances for the Port Elizabeth outfit, scoring five tries.

Willemse has represented South Africa at under-20 level, where he scored two tries in three appearances at the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship held in France.
Back to Top
Lion4ever View Drop Down
Koning Leeu
Koning Leeu
Avatar

Joined: 30-Mar-2016
Location: Roodepoort
Status: Offline
Points: 2000
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lion4ever Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-Mar-2019 at 12:56pm
Pity he signed there. He could have bolstered our hooker stocks. Robbie is injury prone, Malcolm will need a rest sooner rather than later. Jansen has been solid rather than spectacular, but maybe he needs some more game time to really establish himself as our no 3 hooker, and push Robbie harder. 
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.070 seconds.