Brothers Jasper and Cobus Wiese inching closer to Springboks dream

We know that burly Jasper Wiese resembles a runaway train when he gets the ball but his toughness was reflected in his description of the neck injury he suffered earlier this year while playing for his Japanese club.

“Ag no, it wasn’t that serious. It was just two discs in my neck that had to be replaced. It was three months of recovery. It wasn’t like it was one of those year-long problems,” the No 8 said calmly ahead of Saturday’s first Test against Italy in Pretoria.

No fine, just two discs replaced … No problem for the 122kg, 1.89m Bok battering ram.

“I am just excited to be with the Boks. It is always a massive privilege for me to be in camp with everybody,” the humble Upington product added.

In camp with Jasper is his younger brother, Cobus Wiese, who is likely to get a debut run next week in the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha. Cobus, who is comfortable in both the second and back rows, has often said in interviews with the Bulls that it is a dream of his to play with his big boet.

Jasper is 29 and Cobus is just a year younger at 28, but there is no question who is the senior.

“We have never had the opportunity to play in the same team and what better opportunity than to represent your country together, so I really hope he gets a run,” Jasper said.

“I’m very happy for him because he has dreamed of playing for South Africa, and I hope he uses his opportunity.

“I try and watch as many of his games as I can,” the 34-cap Wiese said. “Cobus has had a very good season. It is not that he did not play well overseas (at Sale Sharks), but I think the move back to South Africa did wonders for him. It is great to see him thrive in the Bulls environment with a lot of guys that are here now at the Boks. I hope he can flourish at the Boks too.”

Jasper launched his career at the Cheetahs before spending five years at the Leicester Tigers. He moved to the Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan last year.

“It is a different style of rugby to what I experienced in the UK,” he said. “I have spoken to guys who have been there since 2017, and they say the competition gets more competitive every year because more and more top foreigners are joining the league.

“I have learned how to run because the rugby is much faster there,” he smiled.

Wiese’s focus now is solely on Italy and he says the forward pack have set goals for the two-match series.

“We must set a benchmark for the year going forward,” he said. “Last week, the guys did well against the Barbarians and we have to build on that. There have been a few changes in personnel but not many.

“There is a responsibility on the forwards to get the team going. We have set a good base in the build up to this series. The forwards want to show dominance. We are facing a passionate Italian side and they do get up for games.

“But to dominate the opposition is the mindset of every forward that plays for the Springboks.”

In terms of his personal game, Wiese said he has to evolve with the team.

“The attack we have with Tony Brown being here is amazing. He helps us forwards a lot in how we must work on our game,” he explained.

“For me, it is about getting us momentum and supporting the guys around me as best I can. My first mindset is to gain and stop momentum. As the game opens up more, I must put myself in a position to support. Or to follow a strong carry with another strong carry.

“To be in position to have a genuine impact on the game is the goal for me.”