Damian Willemse has conquered rugby’s biggest stages, collected gold-plated medals and helped the Springboks scale mountains that once seemed impossible. Now, the man affectionately known as “Gaza” has another glittering target in his sights: a star on the DHL Stormers’ badge.
The 28-year-old double Rugby World Cup winner has amassed an enviable collection of honours with South Africa and the Stormers, including the Rugby Championship, British & Irish Lions series and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry triumph. Yet the Investec Champions Cup remains an unfinished chapter in his trophy-laden story.
Willemse will start at fullback when the Stormers welcome Bristol Bears to Cape Town Stadium at 16:15 on Saturday, with the English visitors threatening to turn the hosts’ European ambitions into a defensive nightmare.
“I’m very excited for the start of the Champions Cup,” Willemse said after training on Wednesday.
“For us as a club, it would mean the world to add a star to our badge.
“We’ve been to the quarter-finals and we’ve played in the round of 16, so we know what the pressure feels like when you go to Europe and play against the big clubs.”
The ambition is unmistakable. The margin for error, however, is razor-thin.
“We want to add a star to our badge, but it’s early days. We’ve got a very tough match against Bristol this weekend,” he added.
The Stormers have experienced the tournament’s unforgiving roads, reaching the quarter-finals before bowing out in the last 16 last season. Their agonising one-point defeat to Toulon exposed how cruelly European dreams can hinge on a single moment.
World champion. Double @rugbyworldcup winner. @Springboks star. Now @DamianGaza10 Willemse wants the one prize missing from his Stormers collection: a @ChampionsCup Cup star. @BristolBears await @THESTORMERS DHL Stadium on Saturday, 16:15.#Stormers #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/HZWN5RVg02
— Adnaan Mohamed (@Adnaan1111) October 14, 2026
Willemse believes a powerful start at home is essential.
“In the Champions Cup, there are four pool games and we basically have to win at least two. We’re going to Gloucester and Bordeaux, and these are all tough games.
“We want to take it a step further and go the full distance this year. We showed tremendous form in last season’s Champions Cup; going to Toulon, we lost by one point.
“It’s on all of us to make sure we get our momentum and that everyone is firing when we play these games.”
The Stormers have reason to believe their attacking engine is beginning to purr. Willemse made 14 carries, beat nine defenders and covered 87 metres in last week’s emphatic United Rugby Championship coastal derby victory over the Sharks.
His pinpoint pass released Seabelo Senatla for the opening try in a six-try demolition, while the Springbok utility back completed the full 80 minutes as the backline found its rhythm.
“We get the reps, we try to do it every day, and then when one like that comes off it looks beautiful,” he said.
“We’re growing as a backline. There’s a lot we have to work on, but it’s something we can look forward to in the future.”
Saturday’s visitors will test that progress. Willemse singled out Bristol’s attacking talent, including Fitz Harding, scrumhalf Harry Randall, flyhalf Tom Jordan, wing Gabriel Ibitoye and South African centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg.
“Their performance in the Premiership has been outstanding, and it’s just the style of play they have,” he said.
“Across the park, they’ve got ball-players in Fitz Harding, Harry Randall at nine and Tom Jordan at 10, and then Gabriel Ibitoye and Benhard Janse van Rensburg.
“We’ll definitely have to be on it from a defensive point of view.”
Bristol bring plenty of attacking ammunition, and loose defensive screws could prove expensive. The Stormers must marry Willemse’s creative spark with disciplined tackling, intelligent game management and clinical finishing.
Gaza has already helped conquer the world. Now he wants to help his Cape Town club conquer Europe’s premier club competition.
The medals are impressive. The mission remains unfinished.
