VIDEO: Big Cobus Wiese shares his ultimate dream
VIDEO: Utility forward Cobus Wiese made the move to the Bulls three months ago in a desperate attempt to catch the eye of the Springbok selectors and maybe wear the Green and Gold with his older brother Jasper.
The Wiese brothers grew up on a Northern Cape farm and spent their childhood honing their strength, not in a gym but through hard work on the land.
This physical foundation has shaped the lock-cum-flank into the towering forward who is ready to make his mark for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship.
Wiese represented Sale Sharks for four years since joining them in 2020 and has played almost 80 games for the club, scoring five tries.
One of the reasons the Bulls’ Director of Rugby Jake White wanted to sign Wiese was because he is such a talented lock who can play at flank too, so he is versatile and that adds to their arsenal.
On Saturday Wiese featured for the Bulls against Ulster and his physical presence was such that White talked about the strength of the lock.
Wiese sat down with reporters on Monday to talk about his time since joining the Bulls and his never-ending dream of becoming a Springbok and hopefully playing with his brother.
“In terms of the Bok setup, I was in the squad back in 2018 and then I broke my neck. To be quite honest, I became complacent and I thought it would just happen.
“It is easy to see what you need to do to be in the Springbok squad. If you look at the guys that are there now, they have an impeccable work rate and they stay true to the players they are,” Wiese explained.
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“If you look at players like Pieter-Steph [du Toit] and Eben [Etzebeth], they do week in and week out what they are known for.
“In terms of that, I must just do the best I can in my role or the identity I have created for myself.
“It’s about doing it well week in and week out consistently.
“I don’t know what they want, but I can see that it isn’t stuff that requires talent, it’s consistent hard work.
“It is something I am chasing and hopefully one of these days they will approach me.
“It is a short-term goal for me to get into the Bok squad,” he openly acknowledged.
“I am in a time in my career where I feel I am mature enough.
“The Bulls setup is a championship team that fell short a few times and I think winning teams are in good stead to get picked for the national side,” Wiese explained.
He has signed a two-year deal with the Bulls, mainly to try and make his Bok dream come true and if the Wieses get their way, it will be together on the pitch for the national side.
“ It’s a lifelong dream of mine and it is something that I am chasing now.
“So far I have enjoyed my time at the Bulls.
“If I am able to make that progression in my career, then I am happy to stay a few more years.
“It is definitely a dream of ours to play together one day and it being for the Springboks will be the number one prize,” he said.
According to Wiese Du Toit is the ultimate Springbok player that any aspiring forward can loop up to.
“Any player from No. 4 to No. 8 can learn massively from Pieter-Steph du Toit.
“I had the privilege of playing with him from 2017 to 2019 so I learned a lot from him.
“He is the perfect example for any player in South Africa who is forwards orientated.
“He is a massive presence and leader on the pitch and a lot of guys turn to him when the going gets tough.
“If I can develop into that kind of player then I’d be very happy.
“I don’t know if I will ever be quite like Pieter-Steph but if I come close, I will be happy,” Wiese concluded.
The Bulls travel to Wales on Tuesday where they face Ospreys on Saturday.
