You had to read RC Nîmois’s social media posts closely to work out Paul Willemse’s role and not take it for a bad joke. The South African-born lock is joining the ranks of the Nationale 2 club (fourth division). He will come into the staff and take charge of the forwards. “Since July, Paul has been bringing all his expertise to our forward play, working alongside Jérôme Sabbia, Guillaume Aguilar and Pierre Tacchella. Rugby Club Nîmois is very proud to be able to benefit from everything Paul Willemse will bring“, the club wrote. Quite the coup.

A weighty addition

The Montpellier lock, capped 32 times by France (2019-2024), did not take long to bounce back after announcing the end of his career on Monday. As expected, the former Grenoble player had to stop, at just 32, because of several concussions. “After all these years on the pitch, it is time for me to turn the page. Rugby was never just a job for me, it was my childhood dream, my passion, my life“, the giant explained on his social media.

Screenshot of a Facebook post by Rugby Club Nîmois announcing Paul Willemse joining their Nationale 2 coaching staff, with a portrait of the player in a red polo shirt against a dark background

A player of duty, the Pretoria native had not played a rugby match since 5 October 2024 and a game against Stade Français. That day, Willemse suffered a sixth concussion in the space of a year. One too many. The now former Montpellier man leaves with two Challenge Cups won with MHR (2016, 2021) as well as a Bouclier de Brennus in 2022. With France, he played an active part in the Grand Slam during the 2022 Six Nations. Paul Willemse therefore arrives in Nîmes with an impressive CV and, above all, the desire to share his experience of the very top level.