Latest news with #Wiese
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Springboks grapple with enduring No 8 conundrum ahead of Rugby Championship
Jean-Luc du Preez, a versatile blindside flanker who has proven his worth at No. 8 for Sale Sharks, is a strong contender to fill the Springboks' crucial No. 8 jersey, offering another powerful option for the Bomb Squad. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix COMMENT Since the day Duane Vermeulen took off the Springbok No 8 jersey after the World Cup final in 2023, there has been a constant struggle to find someone to fill it consistently. Coach Rassie Erasmus would be forgiven for considering the position cursed, and Jasper Wiese, the man long tipped to be Vermeulen's successor, will testify that it is. Earlier this year, the Springboks indirectly suffered a blow when two exceptional Bulls No 8s – Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw – suffered season-ending injuries in the United Rugby Championship. Every time it looks like Wiese is building up a head of steam at No 8, injury or suspension strikes to remove him from the Bok fold for long periods. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ It is currently another suspension — for a "head butt" that was more of a nudge in the series against Italy — that has sidelined the likeable but unlucky Wiese. He will not play in the imminent two Tests against the Wallabies or the tournament's climax against the All Blacks in Auckland. Wiese is cleared to play in the second Test against New Zealand, in Wellington, a week after the September 6 clash at Eden Park. In the meantime, Kwagga Smith, Jean-Luc du Preez, and Cobus Wiese are the likely candidates to fill the eighthman role, after Erasmus chose not to pick Evan Roos in his 37-man squad for the visit of the Australians. None of the above are specialist No 8s, although they have played there at times. Smith has started at No 8 in some heavyweight Test matches — against the British and Irish Lions in 2021 (one Test), France in 2022, Ireland last year (both Tests), and Scotland last November. However, when he starts at No 8, he does not appear at home in the position and "gets by" rather than excels. Smith is an integral part of the Bomb Squad not just because he covers several positions — even wing — but because he comes alive in the looser, last quarter of the game. It is a bit of a waste for him to start when he is a brilliant finisher. Du Preez, a natural blindside flanker, has played No 8 for the Sale Sharks, and also lock. That makes him another Bomb Squad natural, while the same can be said for Jasper's younger brother, Cobus, who has played lock and flank for the Bulls, and started for the Springboks at No 8 in their last Test, against Georgia in Mbombela. But one of them must be elevated from the Bomb Squad to start against the Wallabies on August 8. Others could play No 8, including captain Siya Kolisi. He looked comfortable there for the Sharks, but Erasmus has indicated that he wants his captain in his favoured position of openside flanker. Erasmus's preferred loose trio has been Kolisi at No 6, Pieter-Steph du Toit at 7, and Jasper Wiese at 8, but not once has that combination started this year. Kolisi missed the Barbarians and the Italy series because of injury niggles, and his first game back, against Georgia, was Wiese's first game of his suspension. The Springboks have had their issues at the breakdown in that four-match block as they struggle to piece together their best-balanced loose trio. Du Toit and Kolisi are short on game time and thus certain to start in both Tests against Australia, and it will be the same for whoever Erasmus chooses at No 8 as the coach gets his team battle-ready for the All Blacks. For the record, I fancy Du Preez at No 8 but have a hunch Erasmus will go with Smith.
Eyewitness News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Springbok Wiese banned for four matches over head butt
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa No 8 Jasper Wiese has been banned for four matches after head-butting Italy prop Danilo Fischetti in last weekend's Test victory in Gqeberha, World Rugby announced on Tuesday. The 29-year-old back-rower will miss a one-off Test against Georgia in Mbombela this Saturday and three Rugby Championship matches - two at home to Australia and one against New Zealand in Auckland. Wiese will be available for selection when the Springboks face the All Blacks in Wellington on 13 September, seven days after the first meeting between the sides. South Africa then face Argentina twice to complete their Rugby Championship schedule. They meet France, Italy, Ireland and Wales during a November tour to Europe. Wiese was red-carded after 22 minutes of the first half in the second Test against Italy when South Africa were leading by 10 points. The Rugby World Cup title-holders went to win Saturday's game 45-0. His place in the team to face Georgia this weekend will be taken by his younger brother, Cobus Wiese, who made his Test debut last Saturday. Jasper Wiese played for the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and Leicester Tigers before joining Japanese outfit Urayasu D-Rocks last year.
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Rassie Erasmus: Jasper Wiese's four-match ban is fair
The Springboks will not be challenging Jasper Wiese's four-match suspension, with Rassie Erasmus saying the process was 'fair' and without fault. Wiese has been banned for four Tests following a red card for what was deemed a headbutt on Italy loosehead prop Danilo Fischetti. He was sent off in the 20th minute of Saturday's clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, and faced a World Rugby disciplinary hearing yesterday morning. Also read: Siya back for Boks, trio make Test debut Erasmus told the media at the team announcement that he was satisfied with how the process unfolded. 'I thought the whole hearing this morning was top class,' said Erasmus. 'Jasper got his chance to be honest about what he thinks. The way the chair lady ran the whole thing was clear – just the way they listened to what Jasper said. I think getting four matches banned is fair.' The suspension means Wiese will miss the final Test of the Incoming Series against Georgia in Mbombela, both The Rugby Championship clashes against Australia in Johannesburg and Cape Town (August 16 & 23), and the first All Blacks Test in Auckland (September 6). Read more: Canan keen to play off Damian He will be available again for the return match against New Zealand in Wellington on September 13, followed by two fixtures against Argentina in Durban and London. The post Rassie: Jasper's four-match ban is fair appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
eNCA
16-07-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Siya returns to lead the Boks
MBOMBELA - The Springboks are gearing up for their final Incoming Series clash against Georgia this weekend. READ | Springbok Wiese banned for four matches over head butt After a frustrating opener against Italy, the Boks bounced back with a much more dominant showing. They once again rotate their side to play the Lelos, although some of the notable performers from last week keep their spots in the side, as they begin to look ahead at the Rugby Championship. eNCA reporter Justin Ford filed this report.
eNCA
15-07-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Springbok Wiese banned for four matches over head butt
DURBAN - South Africa No 8 Jasper Wiese has been banned for four matches after head-butting Italy prop Danilo Fischetti in last weekend's Test victory in Gqeberha, World Rugby announced on Tuesday. The 29-year-old back-rower will miss a one-off Test against Georgia in Mbombela this Saturday and three Rugby Championship matches -- two at home to Australia and one against New Zealand in Auckland. Wiese will be available for selection when the Springboks face the All Blacks in Wellington on September 13, seven days after the first meeting between the sides. South Africa then face Argentina twice to complete their Rugby Championship schedule. They meet France, Italy, Ireland and Wales during a November tour to Europe. Wiese was red-carded after 22 minutes of the first half in the second Test against Italy when South Africa were leading by 10 points. The Rugby World Cup title-holders went to win Saturday's game 45-0. His place in the team to face Georgia this weekend will be taken by his younger brother, Cobus Wiese, who made his Test debut last Saturday. Jasper Wiese played for the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and Leicester Tigers before joining Japanese outfit Urayasu D-Rocks last year. dl/iwd
