VIDEO: Homeward-bound Wiese keeping his cards close to his chest
World Cup-winning Springbok Jasper Wiese is keeping his cards close to his chest, but he dropped big hints that he is heading back to South Africa after the Premiership season.
In this week’s episode of Behind the Ruck, Wiese spoke to Rudy Paige and Juan De Jongh about his imminent departure from Leicester Tigers.
In an entertaining interview, Wiese spoke about his Springbok call-up, his debut and the victorious World Cup campaign.
He spoke about the roller-coaster ride of the World Cup and the Final against New Zealand – won 12-11 by the Springboks.
Wiese would not reveal where he is going, after departing the Tigers at the end of the season.
He was previously linked to ‘big-money’ moves to France and Japan.
However, he hinted on Behind the Ruck that the destination may well be South Africa.
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“My decision [to depart Welford Road] was around the family,” he said.
“My father hates travelling and doesn’t fly, so he never came to England.
“It is a family decision for me.
“When you are based in South Africa, it is a bit easier.”
He added that he doesn’t want to raise his child without their grandparents.
His brother, lock Cobus Wiese, is joining the Bulls next season.
However, Jasper was cagey about revealing too much.
He will finish his career at Leicester this month without having ever beaten Sale Sharks at Salford.
Tigers suffered a 15-31 loss to Sale Sharks at the Salford Community Stadium on Friday – killing off any remote hope they had of making the play-offs or a top-six finish and a place at Europe’s top table next season.
The Tigers have one match remaining – against Exeter Chiefs at Welford Road next week.
Wiese, 28, became a Springbok after joining the Tigers in July 2020 – making 78 appearances for the Leicester-based team.
He now has a Premiership title, won two years ago, to go with his World Cup gold medal.
His time at Welford Road started with a month in a quarantine hotel during Covid.
Last year Wiese was voted the Rugby Players Association Players’ Player of the Year.
The loose forward spoke about the need to have curbed his natural aggression – having changed from a red-card magnet to a more controlled aggression.
Wiese described England boss Steve Borthwick’s coaching style as ‘very serious’, but added that he has a ‘rugby brain’.
“I feel he helped my game a lot,” the loose forward said, adding: “He kept me accountable.
It was in the Premiership where he revived his drive and refreshed his passion for the game again.
Source: Behind the Ruck Podcast
