Michael Evan Willemse (born 14 February 1993) is a South African rugby union player for London Irish in Premiership Rugby.[1] His regular position is hooker.
| Full name | Michael Evan Willemse | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 14 February 1993 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Cape Town, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 104 kg (229 lb; 16 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Grey High School, Port Elizabeth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Cape Town | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career
editYouth and Varsity Rugby
editWillemse was included in the Eastern Province Kings squad at the 2010 Under-18 Academy Week and also played for the Eastern Province U19 team in the Under-19 Provincial Championship competition in the same year. In 2011, he also represented them at the Craven Week competition.
In 2013, he played Varsity Cup rugby with the UCT Ikey Tigers, scoring three tries in six starts.
Western Province / Stormers
editHe was called up to the Western Province Vodacom Cup squad at the conclusion of the Varsity Cup competition and made his first class debut on 13 April 2013 against Argentina side Pampas XV[2] and made four appearances in the competition.
He made his Currie Cup debut a few months later when he came off the substitutes' bench for their match against Sharks following Tiaan Liebenberg's late withdrawal through injury.[3][4]
In 2014, he was called up into the Stormers squad for their 2014 Super Rugby match against the Sharks, following Deon Fourie's late withdrawal through injury.[5]
UK
editOn 25 March 2019, Willemse would travel to Scotland to sign for Edinburgh in the Pro14 on a two-year deal from the 2019-20 season.[6] Following his release from Edinburgh, he signed for English club London Irish in the Premiership Rugby from the 2021-22 season.[7]
Representative rugby
editIn 2013, he was included in the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship. He made three substitute appearance – against the USA (scoring two tries),[8] England,[9] and France.[10]
References
edit- ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Mike Willemse". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – ICBC Pampas XV 17–28 DHL Western Province". South African Rugby Union. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ "Late hooker change for DHL WP". Western Province. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – DHL Western Province 25–19 The Sharks". South African Rugby Union. 7 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ "Late Fourie blow for DHL Stormers" (Press release). Stormers. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- ^ "EDINBURGH CONFIRM MICHAEL WILLEMSE SIGNING". Kings Rugby.co.za. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
- ^ "Mike Willemse: London Irish sign Edinburgh hooker for the 2021-22 season". BBC Sport. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
- ^ "Match Details: South Africa v USA". International Rugby Board. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ "Match Details: South Africa v England". International Rugby Board. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ "Match Details: France v South Africa". International Rugby Board. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.