Duane Vermeulen Praises Jasper Wiese Ahead of His 50th Springbok Test in Perth
- Duane Vermeulen described Jasper Wiese as the Springboks' go-to player ahead of a milestone Test in Perth on Sunday
- Wiese was named on the bench for the Optus Stadium clash against Australia, with Marco van Staden starting at No 8
- Bok coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed Wiese's bench role as cover given Van Staden's unfamiliarity with the position
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Duane Vermeulen has spoken warmly of Jasper Wiese's standing in the Springbok set-up as the powerful No 8 prepares to earn his 50th Test cap against Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, 28 September 2026.
Vermeulen, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday 23 September 2026, reflected on Wiese's evolution as both a player and a leader within the squad.
"He's a fantastic player, a really big stalwart in the team, and became one of the leaders in the team's core leadership group," Vermeulen said.
"He's your go-to guy when you want go-forward ball and he's really been playing well."
Vermeulen, who has experienced Wiese as both an opponent and a colleague, added:
"I enjoyed playing against him and I'm also enjoying coaching him. It's a fantastic achievement and we're looking forward to a helluva lot more of what we can get from him."
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Wiese Named on Bench as Cover for Van Staden
Despite the milestone occasion, Wiese will start from the bench in Perth. Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus made the call at Tuesday's team announcement, naming Marco van Staden at No 8. Van Staden has predominantly featured as a flank or a backup hooker for the Boks, making him less familiar with the No 8 role in the Test environment.
Erasmus explained that Wiese's presence among the replacements serves as a strategic safeguard, ensuring a specialist option is available should Van Staden struggle with the demands of an unaccustomed position.
The decision follows a demanding period for Wiese, who carried a heavy workload throughout the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks.
A Milestone Capping an Impressive Career
Wiese has established himself as one of the more physically imposing forwards in world rugby since making his Test debut for South Africa. His ability to carry hard and provide front-foot ball has made him a reliable weapon for the Springboks, particularly in tight contests where momentum is decisive.
Reaching 50 Test caps places Wiese among a respected group of experienced Springbok forwards, and Vermeulen's comments suggest the team's coaching staff view him as central to South Africa's plans going forward.
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Source: Briefly News
