Springbok powerhouse Jasper Wiese is buzzing with excitement at the prospect of finally sharing the field with his brother, Cobus Wiese, in the green and gold. Cobus, the younger sibling, received his first Springbok call-up this year, setting the stage for a potentially historic moment for the Wiese family.
Jasper, a Rugby World Cup winner in 2023, has been sidelined with a neck injury but is now ready to roar back onto the field against Italy. He's set to earn his 35th Test cap, adding extra significance to the match.
"My injury wasn’t that serious; there were two discs that had to recover in my neck, so I was only out for three months,” said Wiese. “I’m very excited to be back here. It’s a massive privilege.”
Before joining Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan’s Rugby League One, Jasper made a name for himself with Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership. Cobus, on the other hand, impressed with the Stormers before moving to Sale Sharks. He's now back in South Africa with the Bulls, where his strong performances earned him a spot in the Bok squad.
“We’ve never had the opportunity to play together, and it doesn’t get better than being able to do so for the national team, so I hope he gets a run,” said Wiese. “I’m very happy for him because he has always dreamed of it. Over and above that, he’s had a good season, and it’s fantastic to see how he has flourished at the Bulls.”
“We’ve never had the opportunity to play together, and I don’t think there is a better way to do it than by representing your country together,” Jasper added. "So, I really hope he gets a run at it, and obviously it’s a massive privilege to have him here, and I’m very glad for him."
Looking ahead to the clash with Italy, Wiese anticipates a tough battle. "They are a very passionate side and they know how to get themselves up for a game. They are also strong up front and will want to try to dominate there this weekend."
Will the Wiese brothers get their chance to shine together?
The rugby world is watching to see if coach Rassie Erasmus will give both Wiese brothers a chance to play together, fulfilling a lifelong dream and adding a special chapter to their family story.