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Cape Town - Former Baby Bok lock and new Bulls recruit Paul Willemse has set his sights on representing the Springboks in 2013.
The 20-year-old, who won the IRB Junior World Championship with the SA under-20 side last year, recently made the move across the Jukskei River from the Golden Lions to the Blue Bulls.
Willemse admitted he exceeded his own expectations in 2012 after initially only setting himself the goal of playing Vodacom Cup rugby. Aside from his success with the Baby Boks, he also represented the Lions' senior side in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup.
"There were many things I did not anticipate last season that came my way," the 2.00m and giant told the Rugby365 website.
"It made me realise that one should not place barriers in your way. Dream big."
And dreaming big is exactly what Willemse plans to do this year, as he expressed his desire to go all the way in 2013.
"My dream is to play for the Springboks in 2013."
This goal is also driven by former Springbok lock Victor Matfield, who now coaches the Bulls forwards.
"I told him I would like to play for the Bulls on a regular basis in 2013 and he asked me why I don't aspire to play for the Boks. When I said I did, he insisted that I made this part of my career goals for 2013. That will be my focus this season," Willemse said.
The Bulls start their Super Rugby campaign at home against their arch rivals, the Stormers, on February 22.
The 20-year-old, who won the IRB Junior World Championship with the SA under-20 side last year, recently made the move across the Jukskei River from the Golden Lions to the Blue Bulls.
Willemse admitted he exceeded his own expectations in 2012 after initially only setting himself the goal of playing Vodacom Cup rugby. Aside from his success with the Baby Boks, he also represented the Lions' senior side in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup.
"There were many things I did not anticipate last season that came my way," the 2.00m and giant told the Rugby365 website.
"It made me realise that one should not place barriers in your way. Dream big."
And dreaming big is exactly what Willemse plans to do this year, as he expressed his desire to go all the way in 2013.
"My dream is to play for the Springboks in 2013."
This goal is also driven by former Springbok lock Victor Matfield, who now coaches the Bulls forwards.
"I told him I would like to play for the Bulls on a regular basis in 2013 and he asked me why I don't aspire to play for the Boks. When I said I did, he insisted that I made this part of my career goals for 2013. That will be my focus this season," Willemse said.
The Bulls start their Super Rugby campaign at home against their arch rivals, the Stormers, on February 22.
