Cobus Wiese says the values instilled on his family farm, not raw talent, remain the foundation of his rapid rise into the Springbok fold, writes CLINTON VAN DER BERG.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash against Argentina in Buenos Aires, the utility forward was careful not to overplay the “farm boy” tag that has followed him, but admitted the lessons run deep.
“[I hope] we don’t take this farm boy thing totally out of proportion,” he said. “But growing up on a farm, you work until the work’s done, so there’s no quitting time.
“The sense of responsibility that you have, I think it’s probably moulded me more as a person rather than a player.
“I think other players have some kind of values too, but in the day and age we live in now, you have to have a strong work ethic to make it in rugby.”
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Wiese, who made his Bok debut last season, also opened up on the emotion of sharing the Springbok jersey with older brother Jasper, admitting the milestone still leaves him searching for words.
“Me and Jasper, and I believe our whole family, are immensely proud and grateful for the opportunity,” he said. “Doing it once is special, but if we have the privilege, if we stay injury-free, and we can do it a few more times, that will be gold for us.
“I want to share a Springbok jersey with my brother, so I’m still a bit lost for words in terms of how proud and grateful we are.”
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On settling into a squad stacked with experience, Wiese credited senior figures like Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth.
“Coming into the team as a new player can seem intimidating,” he said. “But you’ve got world-class players you’ve played with before, Eben at the Stormers and with Lood [de Jager] in England.
“If you can pick their brains in preparation, you go out on Saturday and express yourself, because you have belief from that preparation.”
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Asked whether he now considers himself settled in the squad, Wiese was measured.
“I wouldn’t say I’m comfortable, but I respect my role in the team, and I’m able to do my role. So I’m feeling good.”
On his shift from flank to lock, which mainly took hold during his playing days at Sale, he added, “At the moment I’m probably more of a lock that can cover loose forward, six, seven, eight.
“I’ve previously said if you get a chance to play in a Springbok team, you’ll go at any position they want, and execute your job in that position.”
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Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
The post Wiese draws on farm roots, brotherly bond appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Cobus Wiese says the values instilled on his family farm, not raw talent, remain the foundation of his rapid rise into the Springbok fold.
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