Cobus Wiese’s rocky journey: From broken neck to finally making his Bok debut

Cobus Wiese is focused on keeping his head down and working harder to get one more Springbok cap after making his debut this past weekend against Italy in Gqeberha.

The utility forward, along with his brother Jasper, became the 37th pair of brothers to play for the world champions. However, Jasper copped a silly red card for a headbutt in the 21st minute of the 45-0 victory, which prevented the two from playing together.

Cobus (28) felt for his brother and supported him afterwards, but after getting that first cap after a rocky journey to the top, the Bulls forward wants to keep grinding to stay in contention for South Africa. He, alongside Sharks centre Ethan Hooker and Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, made their debut off the bench in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Wiese’s debut was seven years in the making. He was a promising young player at the Stormers and received his first Springbok invite in 2018.

After breaking his neck at the Stormers and suffering a host of other injuries since then, it prevented him from cracking the nod. Upon returning to South Africa after four years in England, the enforcer found that rhythm again and has been a standout player in Pretoria this past season.

“The hard work starts now to stay here and solidify a place. I always said I wanted one Test and after that one, I want one more,” Wiese said.

“I will stick to that principle of working hard every week, like it’s my first cap to get one more. I don’t want to say it’s more special, because it is a massive privilege. Having had that many operations and long-term injuries, the biggest one was probably when I was in the squad in 2018, and then breaking my neck.

“To seven years later, and getting my cap. It is amazing. It does make it worthwhile. It is that cliché of don’t give up and keep on going. But it is cliché because it is true. It would’ve been a massive honour back then, it is massive now too.”

Wiese says he probably would’ve played a couple of minutes next to his brother when he came off the bench in the second half. They would’ve followed in the footsteps of Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, who last played as brothers together for the world champions against Wales.

While he supported Jasper right after the game, he said his brother would ‘hear it’ from Monday on.

Hailing from Upington in the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape has a special connection with Wiese. His in-laws are from Patensie, a small town in the coastal province, and it was an honour for him to make his debut there.

“This was probably the loudest I’ve heard a crowd on the bench. In the first 10 minutes, we had that Mexican wave going. I could not hear the guy next to me. It’s unbelievably special. They love their rugby, and they love coach Rassie (Erasmus).

“The energy they gave us was unbelievable.”

Jasper, meanwhile, will have a full disciplinary hearing and should hear his fate on Tuesday after the red card he received on Saturday. It is expected that he would receive a lengthy ban after recently returning to action following a layoff due to a red card.

He could miss the entire Rugby Championship which means the Springboks will have to make plans with another eighth man. The Boks pledged all their support to the World Cup winning bruiser, but he will be lucky if he escapes with a light punishment.