The Stormers are attempting to retain the services of Springboks full-back Damian Willemse amid interest from Suntory Sungoliath.

The Japanese club is renowned for signing some of the game’s biggest names and has now set its sights on the youngest-ever double Rugby World Cup winner, according to a report.

Willemse signed a groundbreaking five-year contract with the Stormers in 2022, and now that he is in the final year of that deal, he is weighing his options.

Suntory chase Damian Willemse

Outside of a brief stint at Saracens back in 2019, Willemse has spent his entire career at the Stormers who he debuted for at the age of 18. However, he could be tempted to take up a deal in Japan after the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Japan Rugby League One heavyweights Suntory eager to snap up his services.

According to Rapport, the Stormers are fighting hard to retain the versatile Springbok’s services, with a source telling the Afrikaans that the club has “already started the extension process” with “broad principles and amounts agreed”.

However, Suntory Sungoliath are “showing great interest” in Willemse and are reportedly willing to shell out ‘a lot of yen’ to lure him to Tokyo.

The club has a reputation for luring some of the most high-profile names to Tokyo and currently have former All Blacks captain Sam Cane and ex-Ireland winger James Lowe on its payroll. The latter was signed as a replacement for Cheslin Kolbe, who represented Sungoliath from 2023 to 2026 before rejoining the Stormers.

Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, George Gregan, Matt Giteau, Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez, Samu Kerevi and George Smith are just a handful of the world-class players who Suntory have managed to sign over the years.

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While the Stormers attempt to convince Willemse to remain in Cape Town, the Bulls are facing a similar challenge to retain the services of fellow double Rugby World Cup winner Handre Pollard, according to Rapport.

The veteran playmaker is also being targeted by an unnamed Japan Rugby League One club, with the Bulls eager to keep Pollard on their payroll beyond the end of the 2026/27 season.