Former Springbok Ashwin Willemse back on TV after racism debacle
Former Springbok and ex-SuperSport rugby analyst Ashwin Willemse is on his way back to South African screens as a sports show host.
After six years in the wilderness, controversial former Springbok and rugby analyst Ashwin Willemse is set to return to South African screens as a local sports show host.
Willemse, who played 19 Tests from 2003 to 2007, will bring his experience and passion for the game to eExtra’s new show, BÔll & Ôll. The programme will air on Sundays at 6:30pm on Openview eExtra, with a rebroadcast on Saturdays on e.tv.
Willemse, alongside presenter JP Keyter and professor Wilbur Kraak from the University of the Western Cape, will host the weekly talk show with a focus on local rugby.
THE RACISM BACK STORY
Prior to this new gig, Willemse had been away from show business since 2018 after the highly publicised fallout with his fellow SuperSport TV pundits Nick Mellett and Naas Botha.
For context, exactly six years ago — in May 2018 — Willemse staged a dramatic walkout during a live SuperSport broadcast, where he accused analysts Mallett (former Springbok coach) and Botha (former Springbok) of racism.
The pair vehemently denied the accusation levelled at them, but that didn’t stop the broadcaster from launching investigation into Willemse’s allegations.
But the independent investigation found no evidence of racism, leading to Willemse and SuperSport parting ways.
WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE RACISM INCIDENT HERE.
Rugby TV show hosts JP Keyter, Ashwin Willemse and Wilbur Kraak: Image: Via Die Son.