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'It's a big task to fill Duane's boots': Wiese on impressive TRC campaign
By Rugby365
The Springboks might not have won the Rugby Championship, however they head into their year-end tour with a formidable No.8 – Jasper Wiese.
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New Zealand won the tournament for an eighth time on Saturday after South Africa failed to secure a bonus point and a wide winning margin when beating Argentina 38-21 in Durban.
The Springboks needed a bonus point in the final match of the tournament and victory by at least 39 points to pip the All Blacks for first place.
“It is always tough playing Argentina,” Wiese said, adding: “They put on a hell of a performance. Lucky we got the win, but it’s a bit disappointing not to win the Rugby Championship.
“We wanted to get the [winning] margin we needed, but unfortunately we couldn’t get it. But we got the win over a very tough side.”
The result was bittersweet for the Boks, especially for Wiese, who scored his first Test try on Saturday.
The No.8 delivered yet another amazing performance which saw him named the man of the match.
“I must give it to the more experienced guys that have helped me settle in,” said Wiese.
“There’s tough competition within the team, and we keep pushing one another to play well. So, I certainly can’t take credit as an individual.”
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Competing with experienced campaigner Duane Vermeulen for the No 8 jumper, Wiese relished the challenge and said he hoped to continue growing as a player going forward.
“For me, it is always important to perform well,” he said.
“It’s a big task to fill someone like Duane’s boots, but I have learned a lot from him.
“It would be great to tour with the team at the end of the year, and there are things I definitely would like to work on, such as improving on my mistakes and becoming a better player.”
Turning his attention to the year-end tour which features Tests against Ireland, France, Italy and England, as well as two-midweek games, the No.8 said: ” The [Rugby Champs] was great preparation for the year-end tour.
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“It’s going to be a tough tour, and the momentum we built up in the last few weeks [winning three consecutive games] will certainly be valuable for the side.”
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