Jasper Wiese

Jasper van der Westhuizen Wiese (born 21 October 1995) is a South African rugby union player who plays for Leicester Tigers in England's Premiership Rugby. He previously played for the Cheetahs in the Pro14, the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup and the Free State XV in the Rugby Challenge.^[3] He can play as an eighth man or a flanker. He made his debut for South Africa in 2021. He was a Premiership Rugby champion in 2022, scoring a try in the final and being named as the Man of the Match.

Jasper Wiese

Full name	Jasper van der Westhuizen Wiese
Date of birth	(1995-10-21) 21 October 1995 (age 27)
Place of birth	Upington, South Africa
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	110 kg (17 st 5 lb; 243 lb)
School	Hoërskool Upington
University	Central University of Technology
Notable relative(s)	Cobus Wiese (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Eighth man / Flanker Current team Leicester Tigers Youth career 2011–2013 Griquas Country Districts 2014–2016 Free State Cheetahs Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2014–2016 CUT Ixias 11 (10) Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2016–2017 Free State XV 24 (55) 2017 Griffons 6 (15) 2017–2020 Free State Cheetahs 16 (25) 2017–2020 Cheetahs 13 ^[note 1] (15) 2020– Leicester Tigers 56 (80) Correct as of 25 March 2023 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2021–present South Africa 14 (0) Correct as of 9 August 2022

Rugby career

2011–2013: Schoolboy rugby

Wiese was born and grew up in Upington. He attended and played rugby for Hoërskool Upington, which resulted in provincial call-ups for Griquas Country Districts in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

In 2011, Wiese was included in their Under-16 Grant Khomo Week squad for the tournament held in Queenstown.^[4] He started all three of their matches, scoring two tries in their second match against Border Country Districts in a 36–15 win^[5] and one in their final match against Namibia.^[6] His three tries during the tournament placed him in joint-third in the try-scoring charts for the competition, just one behind the leading try scorers.^[7]

The following year, Wiese was included in the Griquas Country Districts squad that competed in South Africa's premier rugby union tournament at high school level, the Under-18 Craven Week, held in Port Elizabeth.^[8] He emulated his appearance and try-scoring record at the previous year's Grant Khomo Week, scoring three tries in three starts. This time, he scored a hat-trick of tries in a 38–5 victory over Border Country Districts in their second match at the tournament,^[9] again a single try behind the leading try-scorers in the competition.^[10]

Wiese once again represented his team at the Under-18 Craven Week in 2013, held in Polokwane,^[11] starting all three matches and scoring two tries; he scored for the third successive year against Border Country Districts in their opening match^[12] and a second against the Leopards in their final match.^[13]

2014–2016: Free State and CUT Ixias

After high school, Wiese moved to Bloemfontein, where he joined the academy of the Free State Cheetahs and the CUT Ixias university team. He made four appearances for CUT in group stages of the 2014 Varsity Shield competition – one of which was in the run-on side – in a season that saw his team win the competition by beating UKZN Impi in the final^[14] and subsequently winning promotion to the Varsity Cup for 2015. In the second half of the season, Wiese played for the Free State U19 team in the Under-19 Provincial Championship.^[15] He started all of their matches in the number eight jersey, helping them to second spot on the log^[16] by scoring nine tries in the competition, second only to Blue Bulls U19' Jurie Linde in Group A of the competition.^[17] He didn't score in the first seven rounds of the competition, but got off the mark in a 34–0 victory over Golden Lions U19s in Round Eight.^[18] He scored four tries in their 54–15 victory over Leopards U19 in their next match,^[19] and a try in each of the last three matches of the regular season, against Blue Bulls U19,^[20] Western Province U19^[21] and Golden Lions U19.^[22] His final try came in their semi-final match against Western Province U19, but it wasn't enough to help his side into the final, with the team from Cape Town winning 29–22.^[23]

Wiese was invited to trials for the South Africa Under-20 squad as they prepared for the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championship,^[24] but wasn't included in the training squad named a week later.^[25] He also didn't feature for CUT Ixias in the 2015 Varsity Cup^[26] or for the Free State XV in the 2015 Vodacom Cup,^[27] despite being included in both squads, but returned to action in the second half of the season by playing for Free State U21 in the Under-21 Provincial Championship.^[28] With Steven Meiring being the first choice eighth man for the team, Wiese shifted to the flank, where he made nine starts and three appearances of the bench. He once again scored several tries for his team – he got tries in matches against Eastern Province U21,^[29] Sharks U21,^[30] Blue Bulls U21^[31] and Leopards U21,^[32] before scoring a hat-trick in their return match against the Sharks U21 in a 74–22 win.^[33] Wiese ended the competition as his team's third-highest try scorer behind fellow loose forwards Daniel Maartens and Steven Meiring,^[34] as the team finished in second place on the log. Wiese helped them to a 27–22 victory over the Sharks in the semi-final,^[35] but the team fell short, losing 17–52 to Western Province U21 in the final.^[36]

Wiese got his first taste of Varsity Cup action at the start of 2016, making seven appearances for CUT Ixias in the competition. He scored tries in matches against UP Tuks^[37] and NMMU Madibaz^[38] as his side finished in sixth spot on the log^[39] despite a two-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player.^[40] After the Varsity Cup, Wiese joined the Free State XV team for their Currie Cup qualification season. He made his first class debut on 16 April 2016, starting their 17–20 defeat to the Blue Bulls in Round Two of the competition.^[41] After another start against Western Province the following week,^[42] Wiese scored the first senior try of his career in a 29–15 victory over the Golden Lions XV in Randburg in his side's next match.^[43] He eventually made eight starts and one appearance off the bench during the competition as his team finished in sixth spot in the competition.^[44] He again reverted to U21 level for the end of the season, where he captained the team in their first four matches, scoring tries in matches against Leopards U21,^[45] Blue Bulls U21^[46] and Western Province U21^[47] to help his team to fourth spot on the log.^[48] He scored another try in their semi-final against Western Province, but his team's interest in the competition was ended with a 23–26 defeat.^[49]

2017: Cheetahs and Griffons

At the end of 2016, Wiese was included in the Cheetahs Super Rugby team's training group for the 2017 Super Rugby season,^[50] but it was also announced that he would link up with the Welkom-based Griffons after his Varsity Cup commitments.^[51]

2020: Leicester Tigers

On 23 July 2020 it was announced Wiese would move to England to join Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby from the 2020-21 season.^[52] Wiese made his Leicester debut against Gloucester only four days after meeting his team mates but impressed with his powerful carrying.^[53][54] He was named as the Man of the Match by broadcaster BT Sport for his performance against Bath on 3 January 2021,^[55] and his performances drew comparison with Duane Vermeulen along with speculation about a possible international call up by South Africa.^[56] On 20 February 2021 Wiese scored Leicester's first try in a win against Wasps but was sent off in the first half for hitting an opponents head with a dangerous ruck clear out,^[57] and was subsequently banned for four weeks.^[58]

On 5 June 2021 Wiese was called up to the Springboks squad for their test series against the British and Irish Lions.^[59] He made his international debut for South Africa on 2 July 2021 as a substitute against Georgia.

Wiese was named as Man of the Match in the 2022 Premiership final, he scored the second try in Leicester's 15-12 win against Saracens.^[60]

Personal life

Wiese is the older brother of Cobus Wiese, also a South African rugby union player.

Notes

1. According to the SA Rugby Annual 2019, Wiese came on in the 2017–18 Pro14 match against Zebre.^[1] However, according to the Pro14 website, he was an unused substitute in the match.^[2] This potential appearance has been excluded from Wiese's appearance stats.

References

1. South African Rugby Annual 2019. 2019. p. 308. ISBN 978-0-620-81808-7.
2. "Cheetahs pounce late to see off Zebre". Guinness Pro14. from the original on 3 November 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
3. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Jasper Wiese". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
4. "SA Rugby Squad – Griquas CD : 2011 U16 Grant Khomo Week". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
5. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Border CD 15–36 Griquas CD". South African Rugby Union. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Namibia 19–25 Griquas CD". South African Rugby Union. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
7. "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2011 U16 Grant Khomo Week". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
8. "SA Rugby Squad – Griquas CD : 2012 U18 Craven Week". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
9. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Griquas CD 38–5 Border CD". South African Rugby Union. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
10. "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2012 U18 Craven Week". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
11. "SA Rugby Squad – Griquas CD : 2013 U18 Craven Week". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
12. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Griquas CD 51–0 Border CD". South African Rugby Union. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
13. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Griquas CD 17–34 Leopards". South African Rugby Union. 13 July 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
14. "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB CUT 35–26 FNB UKZN". South African Rugby Union. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
15. "SA Rugby Squad – Free State U19 : 2014 Absa Under 19 Competition". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
16. "SA Rugby Log – 2014 Absa Under 19 Competition". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
17. "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2014 Absa Under 19 Competition". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
18. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State U19 34–0 Golden Lions U19". South African Rugby Union. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
19. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State U19 54–15 Leopards U19". South African Rugby Union. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
20. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State U19 25–50 Blue Bulls U19". South African Rugby Union. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
21. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State U19 38–7 WP U19". South African Rugby Union. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
22. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Golden Lions U19 0–27 Free State U19". South African Rugby Union. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
23. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State U19 22–29 Western Province U19". South African Rugby Union. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
24. "SARU names large group for Junior Bok trials". South African Rugby Union. 25 March 2015. from the original on 6 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
25. "Junior Bok training squad confirmed". South African Rugby Union. 4 April 2015. from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
26. "SA Rugby Squad – FNB CUT : 2015 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
27. "SA Rugby Squad – Toyota Free State XV : 2015 Vodacom Cup". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
28. "SA Rugby Squad – Free State U21 : 2015 Absa Under 21 Competition". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
29. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State U21 58–12 EP Kings U21". South African Rugby Union. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
30. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Sharks U21 15–27 Free State U21". South African Rugby Union. 24 July 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
31. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State U21 36–36 Blue Bulls U21". South African Rugby Union. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
32. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Leopards U21 7–55 Free State U21". South African Rugby Union. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
33. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State U21 74–22 Sharks U21". South African Rugby Union. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
34. "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2015 Absa Under 21 Competition". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
35. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State U21 27–22 Sharks U21". South African Rugby Union. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
36. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Western Province U21 52–17 Free State U21". South African Rugby Union. 24 October 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
37. "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB CUT 25–68 FNB UP-TUKS". South African Rugby Union. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
38. "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB CUT 35–26 FNB NMMU MADIBAZ". South African Rugby Union. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
39. "SA Rugby Log – 2016 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
40. (Press release). Varsity Cup. 22 March 2016. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
41. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Vodacom Blue Bulls 20–17 Toyota Free State XV". South African Rugby Union. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
42. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Toyota Free State XV 31–36 DHL Western Province". South African Rugby Union. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
43. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Xerox Golden Lions XV 15–29 Toyota Free State XV". South African Rugby Union. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
44. "SA Rugby Log – 2016 Currie Cup Qualifying". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
45. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Leopards U21 26–43 Free State U21". South African Rugby Union. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
46. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State U21 26–20 Blue Bulls U21". South African Rugby Union. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
47. "SA Rugby Match Centre – WP U21 46–28 Free State U21". South African Rugby Union. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
48. "SA Rugby Log – 2016 SA Rugby U21 Provincial Champs". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
49. "SA Rugby Match Centre – WP U21 26–23 Free State U21". South African Rugby Union. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
50. "Cheetahs pak Stormers in Zim" [Cheetahs take on Stormers in Zimbabwe]. Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). 19 November 2016.
51. "Griffons wil 2017 ook 'n suksesvolle jaar maak". Pale Toe! (in Afrikaans). 23 November 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
52. "Jasper Wiese: Leicester Tigers sign South African back rower from Pro14 side Cheetahs". BBC Sport. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
53. "'It's you against him, it's personal' - meet Jasper Wiese, Leicester Tigers' raging bull". Leicester Mercury. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
54. "Blockbuster debuts, tenacity and composure: Leicester Tigers' win over Gloucester hints at happier times ahead". The Daily Telegraph. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
55. "'Doesn't accept' - mindset behind Jasper Wiese's ball-carrying brilliance for Leicester Tigers". Leicester Mercury. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
56. "Wiese morphs into a colossus". SA Rugby Mag. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
57. "Match report - Tigers come out on top in derby". 20 February 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
58. "Leicester Tigers duo Jasper Wiese and Hanro Liebenberg banned following disciplinary hearing". Sky Sports. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
59. "Wiese and Van Staden included in Boks squad". Leicester Tigers. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
60. "Premiership final: Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens - Freddie Burns drop-goal clinches title". BBC Sport. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.

External links

• Jasper Wiese at Premiership Rugby 
• Jasper Wiese at ESPNscrum 
• Jasper Wiese at ItsRugby.co.uk