In May 2018, Bernard Laporte declared that Willemse could be selected for the French national team due to his three years of residence on French territory as well as his request for a French passport. However, he returned on his position in October 2018 saying that he could not be called until he obtained his passport. On 30 November 2018, he announced that he had obtained French nationality. On 9 January 2019, he was summoned to the French team group to prepare for the 2019 Six Nations.