SA Rugby high-performance general manager Dave Wessels says most promising youngsters remain committed to the country.
Despite the global demand for South African talent and the lure of overseas contracts, Wessels says the landscape has shifted in recent years.
“We’re lucky,” he told SportsBoom.co.za. “The players we want are staying, although there are one or two exceptions.”
According to Wessels, that loyalty is no accident. He credits the standards set by the Springboks, combined with the strengthening of SA Rugby’s commercial and high-performance structures, for making local pathways more attractive.
“Rassie [Erasmus] and the guys have set such a high bar, and the SA Rugby brand has grown massively,” he said. “When young players join our structures, they realise they’re part of something special.”
Wessels stresses that success at junior level is not judged purely on trophies, but on how many players are prepared for the next step.
“Yes, we want to win,” he said, “but our real job is to make sure players graduate to franchise rugby and ultimately the Springboks. Guys like Zach Porthen coming through — that’s what success looks like.”
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Wessels’ move from Stormers director of rugby to the national setup came after a call from Erasmus.
“Bear in mind, I’ve known Rassie since 2007 when I was an analyst at the Stormers. He wanted to focus fully on coaching the Springboks and needed someone to assist. It was awesome to get that call,” said Wessels.
“The Stormers was a great environment, but to work for SA Rugby is special.”
One of his earliest and most impactful decisions was appointing long-time colleague Kevin Foote as head coach of the Junior Springboks — a move that paid immediate dividends when the side lifted the U20 World Rugby Championship.
“Footey and I have known each other for a long time – we coached together at UCT,” Wessels said. “Things didn’t go his way in Australia [with the Melbourne Rebels], but he’s a great coach and the right person to lead young men in our environment. He’s done a fantastic job.”
Wessels has also played a key role in shaping the future of women’s rugby, helping secure continuity by extending head coach Swys de Bruin’s contract after the Springbok Women reached the 2025 World Cup quarter-finals.
“Swys has been wonderful for the girls,” he said. “He’s got huge life experience and he’s a great coach, on and off the field. I think both of us were initially hesitant about women’s rugby, but the World Cup changed everything.
“Being there, you could feel the energy – not just around rugby, but women’s sport in general. We’re going through a massive social change.”
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Looking ahead, Wessels says SA Rugby is preparing to invest further in the women’s game, from expanded contracts to more regular fixtures against top-tier opposition.
“Our goal is to compete at the next World Cup,” he said. “Ultimately, we want women’s rugby to be run by women, and we want a female head coach in the near future.”
For Wessels, the overarching mission remains clear.
“It’s about connecting the pieces between junior and senior rugby,” he said. “Our role is to serve Rassie and the Springboks – and to make sure the pipeline keeps delivering.”
Photo: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
The post Wessels: SA juniors still want green and gold appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
SA Rugby high-performance general manager Dave Wessels says most promising youngsters remain committed to the country.
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