VIDEO: Hard work on Doc's farm to master the dark arts

Jan-Hendrik Wessels is the kind of player who is continuously growing and evolving in his dual-role as a loosehead prop and hooker.

It is this selfless approach and dedication to team success that make him a key asset for the Bulls and the Springboks.

He is a no-nonsense player – even in his days at Grey College, where he alternated between prop and lock – who simply puts his head down and bullies his way forward.

His contribution against the Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship in April was first-class and he was named Player of the Match.

As the starting loosehead prop, his performance included a powerful set piece presence and an immense defensive effort with his chase back and try-saving tackle on a wing.

The three-Test-cap Wessels made his Springbok debut against Portugal in Bloemfontein – his hometown – last year.

He has been a regular fixture for the Bulls, but as part of the Springbok squad, he knows the learnings never end.

And that is why he didn’t hesitate when the opportunity came to train with Springbok scrum coach Daan Human on his farm, just like his front row teammate Asenathi Ntlabakanye.

Wessels faced reporters, together with Human, at their team hotel in Hyde Park on Monday, and explained how he managed to fit in the farm visits in between his busy schedule playing for the Bulls.

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“We had breaks in the United Rugby Championship, and my parents are from Bloemfontein. So while visiting them, coach Daan made time for it,” he revealed.

“It is just helping me grow and helping me with the small stuff. Anything to make me a better player.

Wessels is not a big talker. He is reserved, quiet, and probably does his talking on the pitch.

So to hear him say that his time on the farm was ‘hard work’ speaks volumes of what Human put him through.

“It was hard work, but ja, it was quite nice to do as well.”

The Springboks now enter the serious part of their season following the friendly against the Barbarians last weekend, when they host Italy at Loftus on Saturday.

The rise of Italy is no longer a matter of speculation.

They have done so in the Six Nations this year, and their main club team, Benetton, had some impressive wins in the United Rugby Championship.

Wessels faced many of the Italian players when the Bulls played against Zebre Parma and Benetton, and is well aware of how important the scrums are to them.

“I faced Zebre and Benetton in the United Rugby Championship, and we did our homework on those players then, so we know the emphasis they place on the scrums,” Wessels said.

“In fact, Zebre had one of their best seasons this year and beat a few big teams in the competition, so we are expecting a proper battle against them [Italy].

“We want to go into this match setting a high standard for ourselves.

“We have massive respect for all the teams we face, and knowing how strong their scrums are, we want to make a big impact in the set pieces.”

The 24-year-old has been outspoken about his ability to play both prop and hooker, be it for the Bulls or the Springboks and he is well aware how much emphasis coach Rassie Erasmus puts on versatility.

“I don’t have a preference [for prop or hooker],” he said.

“I just want to contribute wherever I am picked. Playing both positions certainly helped me in getting game time.”

The Italians are no longer the pushovers they once were, and the Boks are well aware they can’t afford to take the Azzurri lightly, as they now boast a solid pack and some dangerous and exciting backline stars.

“Unlike the Barbarians, who do not play regularly, Italy does, so we will be facing a proper Test team on Saturday,” Human added.

“They were very competitive in their first two Six Nations matches, and they have a 93% scrum completion rate, which says a lot about that area of their game.

“They also won four scrum penalties and got a penalty try against Namibia, who had a few players who have played in World Cups before, so we certainly respect them as a team.

“The one thing about the Springboks is that we do not underestimate any side, and we know that Italy are very focused on their forward play, so it will be a proper Test match.”