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New Springboks No 8 Jasper Wiese brought raw energy to the pack in place of Kwagga Smith, but at times in the third test against the Lions, it threatened to derail his side’s series.
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Wiese was involved in some bone crunching hits early, flying around the park looking to make a statement. The Leicester Tiger put a bellringer on Liam Williams returning a kick from the back after the Welshman made a half-break.
Although he brought some dominant hits to his side’s defence, his unrestrained activity almost cost his side on the stroke of halftime when he flew into a ruck after the whistle to put a no arms kidney shot on Welsh prop Wyn Jones.
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After protests from the Lions, the officials reviewed the incident but decided against penalising the Springboks and ended the half much to the dismay of many watching. It was a bizarre call when the missile clean out has been cracked down on recently.
Less than a third of voters agreed with the officials in an online poll ran by The Rugby Paper, with the overwhelming majority at 70.4 percent voting for at least a penalty, while many thought a yellow card was suitable.
What ruling would you have made for the Jasper Wiese hit on Wyn Jones at the close of the half?#LionsRugby #LionsSA2021
— The Rugby Paper (@TheRugbyPaper) August 7, 2021
Wiese’s out of control clean out on the defenceless Jones with his back turned did not impress fans on either side, with Springboks fans calling for a substitution after the reckless behaviour.
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Wiese also dropped a number of high balls in the backfield that had Springboks fans on edge, who labelled him a “walking penalty”.
The 25-year-old loose forward was also compared to former Springboks prop Dean Greyling, who famously flew off his feet at the ruck to poleaxe Richie McCaw in the face with an elbow in 2012 against the All Blacks.
How has Jasper Wiese not had card there???
— Harry Gaunt (@HarryGaunt1) August 7, 2021
Jasper Wiese needs to come off and Kwagga to take his place #SSRugby
Sloppy first half but I'm sure we'll make a comeback in the 2nd half
— Grateful? (@LyniqueR) August 7, 2021
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Jasper Wiese is not ready man
— Khutso Mkhabele (@khuts7) August 7, 2021
Jasper Wiese has big Dean Greyling energy
— Simon Hartley (@streakley) August 7, 2021
Wyn Jones' back already sore and then he gets a Jasper Wiese charging into it.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) August 7, 2021
@RassieRugby would like to see #jasperwiese penality count in this series. Without keeping count he cost the @Springboks between 3 to 5 per game. Almost like he doesn't understand the rules. #backtotheclassroom
— Morné (@mdl7702) August 7, 2021
What is Jasper Wiese's role? He seems to be some kind of inspector #RSAvBIL
— Witchy Hezz????? (@HSteel5) August 7, 2021
Wiese is a walking penalty in this game #RSAvBIL
— Stephen Price (@Stephen4bhs) August 7, 2021
Wiese ended up conceding three penalties in the game, including one in the 63rd minute for a push in the back on Finn Russell after the Scotland flyhalf had released his pass.
The Lions reserve No 10 then calmly slotted the 45 metre shot at goal to even proceedings at 13-all. It would be his last involvement as Kwagga Smith was inserted into the game.
Although his contribution on the night weren’t all bad, as his defence added an edge while another slice of TMO luck fell his way.
A dropped high ball by Wiese set-up the break for Cheslin Kolbe to score the critical try to get the Springboks back into the match.
His involvement in the aerial challenge was ruled by the TMO not to have knocked the ball on after it had bounced off his upper arm forward into Lions lock Maro Itoje.
Wiese was one of six loose forwards named in the Springboks 42-man squad for the Rugby Championship campaign beginning this weekend against Argentina, while Rynhardt Elstadt was named as an extra utility option.
With the omission of Pieter-Steph du Toit to injury, Wiese could continue to see more action in the Springboks but may not start due to the return of Duane Vermeulen who was named in the squad.
Siya Kolisi, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, and Dan du Preez were the other four loose forwards named.
