Ashwin Willemse
Since making his first class Rugby debut for Boland at Under 21 level in 2000, Ashwin Willemse has carved out an excellent professional career for himself during the past 9 years that he has been on the circuit. Despite a series of career-threatening injuries which kept Ashwin off the field for most of 2006, his tremendously strong will and character saw him fight back and regain his place in the Springbok squad for the World Cup tournament in 2007 in France.
After the disappointment of the 2003 RWC, he tasted success in 2007, when he was able to add a senior RWC Winner’s Medal to the U/21 World Cup winner’s medal which he won in 2002.Known for his pace and power, Willemse has played 19 Tests for South Africa, and has scored 4 tries. In 2003, he was named SA Player of the Year, Most Promising Player & Players’ Player.
He has been contracted by Supersport to join their panel of rugby experts and his unique insights are proving hugely popular with TV audiences.
And as a professional speaker, his personal story is most inspirational, given that Ashwin rose from the vagaries of a really hard and extremely underprivileged childhood. At a very young age, he became involved in gangsterism. But, to his great credit, this recent former Springbok went on to carry out outstanding work in his country, assisting young South Africans to move away from the evils of drugs, gangs and crime and encouraging them to become part of a healthy, wholesome future through sport.
He has given many talks for both Government and the Corporate world and as an outstanding role model Ashwin certainly does the Springbok image proud.
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