Jasper Wiese reflects on physicality, friendship and the record-breaking loose trio driving the Springboks’ series charge in Baltimore.
Jasper Wiese reflects on physicality, friendship and his record-breaking back row combination with Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit that’s driving the Springboks’ Greatest Rivalry series charge in Baltimore.
Jasper Wiese has been one of the standout performers throughout Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and he is looking to make another telling contribution to the Springbok cause in Saturday’s series-deciding fourth Test against New Zealand in Baltimore.
A bruising back rower, who is equally effective on and off the ball, Wiese was asked what he enjoys most about his position and the roles that come with it.
“I think the physicality contest is always the nicest part for me,” he said. “Sometimes you’re getting dominated and sometimes you’re not going to win every contact point. It’s the lekkerist part of playing rugby, that.”
That appetite for contact has defined his performances throughout this physically demanding series. Across the three Tests so far, Wiese has averaged around twelve or thirteen carries per match and yet, he feels there’s room for improvement in his game.
“Maybe in defence a bit and with the mauling stuff,” he said. “There’s a genuine connection with guys trying to get each other better,” Wiese explained.”I try to stay in the reality we have in this camp. I just try and think about the next game.”
“Obviously the body is always sore after the game. I take a few pain pills on a Sunday and get the body going again on the Monday. We rinse and repeat and go again,” he added.
On Saturday, Wiese, Kolisi and Du Toit started a Test together for the 19th time, setting a new Springbok record for a loose-forward combination, surpassing the previous record held by Francois Louw, Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen.
“I actually didn’t know about it, we saw it after the game,” he said.”It’s a massive privilege to play with guys like Siya and Pieter-Steph. “It’s special to have built a relationship, and not just on the field. In every aspect I think we truly are friends.”
Source: The South African
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