Jasper Wiese has made no secret of his love for the physical side of rugby, and the Springbok No. 8 believes the battle for dominance in contact is what makes the game so enjoyable.
The powerful loose forward has been a key figure in the Springboks’ Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand and is preparing for another demanding challenge when the two sides meet in Baltimore on Saturday.
With the fourth Test set to decide the series, Wiese will once again be expected to bring his trademark physicality, carrying ability and defensive work to the Springbok pack.
Wiese: ‘The physicality is the lekkerist part’
For Wiese, there is something uniquely satisfying about the contest at the heart of rugby.
The 29-year-old was asked what he enjoys most about playing in the loose-forward position and immediately pointed to the physical battle.
“The physicality contest is always the nicest part for me,” Wiese explained.
He acknowledged that rugby does not always go according to plan, with players sometimes winning and sometimes losing individual collisions.
That uncertainty is precisely what makes the contest so appealing to him.
“Sometimes you’re getting dominated and sometimes you’re not going to win every contact point. It’s the lekkerist part of playing rugby,” he said.
Wiese’s appetite for contact has been evident throughout the series, where he has consistently been involved in the Springboks’ hard-running approach.
Springbok No. 8 wants to keep improving
Despite his strong performances, Wiese believes there are still areas of his game that he can sharpen.
The loose forward has been carrying the ball regularly, averaging around 12 or 13 carries per Test during the series, but he is not satisfied with simply maintaining his current level.
Wiese identified his defensive work and involvement in the Springboks’ maul as areas where he can make further progress.
“Maybe in defence a bit and with the mauling stuff,” he said.
That self-assessment reflects the competitive culture within the Springbok camp, where players are constantly challenging one another to improve.
According to Wiese, there is a strong sense of collective responsibility among the squad.
“There’s a genuine connection with guys trying to get each other better,” he explained.
That mentality could prove particularly important with the Springboks facing New Zealand in a decisive fourth Test.
Wiese keeping his focus on the next game
While the magnitude of the series is impossible to ignore, Wiese says he is deliberately concentrating on what is immediately in front of him.
Rather than getting caught up in the bigger picture, the Springbok forward is focused on recovering, preparing and delivering in the next match.
“I try to stay in the reality we have in this camp. I just try and think about the next game,” he said.
That approach is understandable given the physical demands of the series.
Wiese admitted that the toll of Test rugby is significant, with players having to recover quickly before preparing for another intense encounter.
“Obviously the body is always sore after the game,” he said, explaining that recovery starts immediately before the team gets back into its preparations.
For a player whose game is built around physical confrontation, managing that workload will be crucial as the Springboks head into another high-pressure Test.
A record-breaking relationship with Kolisi and Du Toit
Wiese is also part of a historic Springbok loose trio alongside captain Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit.
The combination has now started together 19 Tests, making it the most-capped loose-forward trio in Springbok history.
They have surpassed the previous record held by Francois Louw, Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen.
For Wiese, however, the significance of the achievement is less about statistics and more about the relationships that have developed between the three players.
He admitted that he was not even aware they had broken the record until after the match.
“I actually didn’t know about it, we saw it after the game,” he said.
The achievement is nevertheless a major milestone for the trio and highlights the consistency they have provided in the Springbok pack.
More than teammates
Perhaps the most revealing part of Wiese’s comments was his description of his relationship with Kolisi and Du Toit.
The three forwards have developed a strong understanding on the rugby field, but Wiese stressed that their connection goes well beyond their roles as teammates.
“It’s a massive privilege to play with guys like Siya and Pieter-Steph,” he said.
For Wiese, the relationship has become one built on genuine friendship as much as rugby.
“It’s special to have built a relationship, and not just on the field. In every aspect I think we truly are friends.”
That bond could once again be crucial when the Springboks face the All Blacks in Baltimore.
With the series on the line, Wiese, Kolisi and Du Toit will be expected to bring the physicality, experience and understanding that has made their combination so successful.
And for Wiese, there is unlikely to be a better stage for him to enjoy the part of rugby he loves most: the battle for every metre, collision and contact.
