Jasper Wiese’s last action in a Springboks jersey was picking up the ball from a retreating scrum and holding on to it with all he’s got against the All Blacks before referee Wayne Barnes blew the final whistle in the Rugby World Cup final.
However, the for the last three months No 8 has had to carry tackle bags while serving a six-week suspension after he was red-carded in the Leicester Tigers’ final match of the English Premiership against the Exeter Chiefs.
The heir apparent to the retired Duane Vermeulen’s No 8 jersey has had to bide his time on the sidelines, while Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith and, more recently, Elrigh Louw packed down at the back of the scrum for the Springboks.
But now the big bruiser is back in the saddle for Saturday’s Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus praised Wiese’s commitment and patience over the last three months, revealing how much the No 8 sacrificed during this time.
Erasmus, however, added that he thought the six-week ban was rather harsh, while Wiese also had to attend “tackle school” as a result of the red card.
“It’s a big positive to have Jasper back. He has been a supreme trainer for the last eight weeks. Elite trainer, hopefully we can be an elite rugby player this weekend!” Erasmus joked.
“It’s was three months without a salary, match fees and win fees. It’s tough when you have to shut your mouth, and go and scrum there, maul there and doing tackle school.
“He worked on doing that level change and not lifting a guys leg when he makes a tackle. But it was one of the harshest punishments I have seen.”
Wiese had spent time with former international referee and now Springboks assistant coach Jaco Peyer over the last three months. While the Springboks rarely concede red cards for dangerous tackles despite the physicality they bring to the game, Erasmus said it was important that they get this part of the game right.
“That is where Jaco Peyper helps a lot. He doesn’t explain why we must tackle lower, but why we can’t afford to make these mistakes,” said Erasmus.
“Accidents will be there, but foul play doesn’t often happen in this Springboks team.”
Wiese is certainly itching to get back on the park, and there is no bigger match to look forward to than the All Blacks in front of a packed Johannesburg crowd.
“If you are out for a long time and you’re not hungry when you come back, there is something wrong with you,” said Wiese.
“It was a bit frustrating, but I was fortunate enough to stay in the environment and stay with the guys. It was six games - three-and-half months - a long time.
“I’m just happy to be back and up for selection. The guys around me will do their jobs and I just want to do mine as best as I can.
After three months on the sidelines there is a train of thought that the big No 8 will be slightly cautious when going into a tackle.
Jasper's last carry for the Springboks 😭pic.twitter.com/0BESfXPUu5 https://t.co/dUvzWe7FUJ
But Wiese is not that sort of of player who would shirk a tackle, and he believes that work done over the last three months to improve his tackle technique will help him settle in quickly.
“I don’t think about it. Like Rassie said, we work hard to rectify mistakes,” said Wiese.
“If you go into a game thinking I can’t do this, or I can’t do that ... you don’t give yourself the freedom to express yourself.
“I’m not going to hold anything back,” Wiese added.
@JohnGoliath82