Jasper Wiese Jasper Wiese may miss some of the early Springbok Test matches in 2025 due to injury. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
The revelation that incumbent Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese is likely out for some of the 2025 international season is unfortunate, but the silver lining is that Rassie Erasmus has a good opportunity to examine the pecking order in the position.
The Bok coach has said that 2025 is the most important year for the Boks in terms of testing depth in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup.
The neck injury suffered by Wiese opens the door for leading contenders such as Stormers star Evan Roos and Cameron Hanekom of the Bulls to solidly state their case.
Wiese confirmed via a statement from his Japanese club, Urayasu D-Rocks, that his club season is history.
“I have to return to South Africa to get an operation on my neck,” Wiese said.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play again this season, but please, your support means the world to us… I appreciate it, and for the team, all the best for the season. Thank you.”
Erasmus has this season lost Steven Kitshoff to a career-ending neck injury and Bulls loose forward Elrigh Louw won’t play this year because of ruptured knee ligaments.
But at this stage, it is not clear how long Wiese will be out for.
The Boks have a warm-up Test in late June, and their first “official” Test is against Italy on July 5 in Pretoria.
If anything, Wiese could be available for the November tour, but Erasmus won’t want to rush him.
He has plenty of options at No 8, and wants his up-and-coming players to bank Test caps so that they go to Australia in two years with good experience.
The 22-year-old Hanekom has just one Test, and Roos (25) has five Bok caps, but there are other contenders besides the two Paarl Boys High old boys.
At the Sharks, coach John Plumtree has given Erasmus food for thought by playing Siya Kolisi at No 8.
The Springbok captain is enjoying a new lease on life in the position, and has impressed with his ball carrying and cover defence.
The skipper has been a try-scoring machine for the Sharks this year, and Erasmus now knows that Kolisi is a genuine option at No 8 for the Boks.
The SA coach will also have his standby No 8, Kwagga Smith, to do a job when necessary, but he is not a serious choice as a regular starting eight.
Another option for Erasmus is Francke Horn. The Lions captain has been a standout player in an inconsistent team, and he warrants a shot on a bigger stage.
The 25-year-old has been invited to the Springbok alignment camps, so he is not far off.
Looking further afield, Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez have gathered vast experience playing for the Sale Sharks, and Erasmus has capped both brothers.
Also in the English Premiership, former Stormer Juarno Augustus is a crowd favourite for the Northampton Saints.
Also at the Sharks, Phepsi Buthelezi has swapped positions with Kolisi because Plumtree feels he has a future at openside flank, but No 8 is his favoured position, and he has earned one Springbok cap in that spot.
Overall, that is an impressive raft of contenders to replace Wiese for the big Tests this year, but you have to think it will come down to Roos or Hanekom.