Former Springbok player Ashwin Willemse when he was a SuperSport pundit. (Lee Warren/Gallo Images)
- Former Springbok Ashwin Willemse is set to return to TV screens as a rugby pundit.
- Willemse will appear on a new show on eExtra. Bol & All.
- Willems made headlines in 2018 when he walked off the set of SuperSport and accused fellow commentators Nick Mallet and Naas Botha of being racist.
- Mallet and Botha were exonerated from the charges and subsequent investigation. The SAHRC was terminated after Willemse failed to answer questions.
- For more rugby news, visit our dedicated page.
Former Springbok winger Ashwin Willemse is set to return to television as a rugby pundit, six years after leaving the set of SuperSport.
In a statement this week, it was announced that Willemse, 42, will appear on a new show on eExtra. Bol & All. The show will be broadcast on Sundays at 18:30 on Openview eExtra and will be rebroadcast on e.tv on Saturdays.
Willemse and sports producer JP Keter will anchor the show, which will focus primarily on local rugby. University of the Western Cape professor Wilbur Clarke will also appear on the show.
This is Willemse's first appearance as a rugby pundit since 2018, when he was ejected from the SuperSport set during a live Super Rugby post-match debate. He accused his fellow critics Nick Mallett and Naas Botha of racism.
A subsequent independent investigation revealed Mallett and Botha's wrongdoing.
But Willemse was adamant that she had a case and took the matter to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). In 2019, the SAHRC confirmed it was investigating the matter, but no evidence was provided and the investigation was closed last year.
SAHRC acting communications coordinator Wisani Baloi told News24 in June 2023 that the investigation was closed after Willemse did not respond to questions.
New show:
BÔll & Ôll is a new weekly rugby talk show focused on the pulse of South African rugby – community. The show will focus on clubs, players, matches and communities.
It will be hosted by radio and TV presenter JP Keeter and rugby legend Ashwin. pic.twitter.com/aqEAXXTitZ
— Kugopolo (@PhilMphela) May 20, 2024
Willemse played 19 tests for the Springboks between 2003 and 2007.