Wiese reflects on Bok loose trio milestone with RGR trophy in sight
INTERVIEW: Springbok No.8 Jasper Wiese revealed what a Greatest Rivalry series win would mean for the team and reflected on being part of a record-breaking combination last weekend.
The bulldozing No.8 is arguably one of the best players during the RGR series and for the Springboks overall throughout the season.
In Test three, which the Boks won 29-24 at FNB Stadium, Wiese, captain Siya Kolisi and latest centurion Pieter-Steph du Toit broke the team record for the loose trio which started the most Tests together (18), surpassing the combination of Francois Louw, Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen.
This weekend in Baltimore, they will extend their record with a series win against the All Blacks within reach.
Wiese reflected on the loose forward combination’s mini milestone and his experience of playing with the two Bok centurions.
“It’s a massive privilege to play with guys like Siya [Kolisi] and Pietie [Pieter-Steph du Toit],” Wiese said.
“I’ll never take it for granted, whether I play or not – just to be in this group is amazing.
“I actually didn’t know about the record; we saw it after the game that the three of us broke that record.
“It’s special to have built a relationship not just on the field but off it with those guys as well.
“In every aspect, I feel we truly are friends, and it just makes it so much more special to have achieved that record together.
“It’s an amazing feeling, and I’m really privileged.”
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Touching on where a series win against New Zealand would rank for himself and the team – who won World Cups, Rugby Championships and a British and Irish Lions series before- Wiese simply dubbed that it would be “special” if they should pull it off.
“For this group it would be an amazing achievement. We take it as seriously as the other tournaments we’ve won as well.
“The last series was in 1996, which the All Blacks won, so for this group to be on the cusp of achieving something special – not just for the players, but the coaches and everyone else involved, it would be very special for us.
“In that regard it’s just as special as any of those other series’ in comparison”
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Wiese also added that their preparation as a loose forward combo won’t change much, despite the absence of All Black skipper Ardie Savea, who is ruled out of the decider with injury.
“Ardie is a massive pillar in their team, being their captain since the start of this series,” Wiese told Rugby365.
“But I don’t think our preparation changes much; the other [All Blacks] loose forwards, in my experience, are just as experienced as he [Savea] is – they’ve played in big games as well.
“We give our opponents the respect they deserve, and we respect every loose forward in their team.
“In big games, those guys will step up, so the respect remains whether Savea plays or not for any opponent we play against.”
