Latest news with #Jan-HendrikWessels
IOL News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springboks will use their URC experience to defuse powerful Italy scrum, says Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Jan-Hendrik Wessels is expecting a fierce scrum battle from Italy this weekend in the first Test against the Springboks. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Springbok utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels says the homework done on Italian players during the United Rugby Championship (URC) will assist the Boks' preparations for Saturday's first Test against Italy in Pretoria. The Italian national team draws predominantly from Benetton and Zebre. The latter enjoyed one of their better URC campaigns this season, winning five matches to finish 15th, while Benetton ended in 10th place. 'I faced Zebre Parma and Benetton, and we did our homework on those players then, so we know the emphasis they place on the scrums,' said Wessels, who scored a try against the Barbarians last week in what was his fourth appearance for the Springboks. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Zebre had one of their best seasons this year and beat a few big teams in the competition, so we are expecting a proper battle against Italy. Both Italian teams like to feed off their scrums – they get a lot of energy from them. It is a good base for them to play off. They scrum for penalties. They don't scrum to get away from it.' Wessels noted that Benetton, in particular, thrive on extended scrummaging battles. 'Last year, before the November Bok tour, we played Benetton and they had a big focus on scrumming long. They want to stay in the scrums – they don't run away from it. They are up for the fight.' Comfortable at both loosehead prop and hooker, Wessels said he is happy to play wherever required. 'I don't have a preference. Wherever coach Rassie picks me for the team, I am happy to play. As long as I can contribute, there is no issue for me.' The grind continues for the #Springboks (and it's great to welcome Boan Venter to camp) 💥🤝#ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) June 30, 2025
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Springboks utility front row Wessels expects tough Italy battle
World champions South Africa will not underestimate Italy when the teams meet in Pretoria on Saturday in the first of two tests this month, but utility front row Jan-Hendrik Wessels says they are targeting dominance in the scrums. Bulls forward Wessels, 24, who can play either prop or hooker, scored a try in Saturday's 54-7 romp past the Barbarians in Cape Town, but expects a totally different challenge at Loftus Versfeld. "I faced Zebre Parma and Benetton in the United Rugby Championship, and we did our homework on those players then, so we know the emphasis they place on the scrums," Wessels told reporters on Monday. "In fact, Zebre Parma had one of their best seasons this year and beat a few big teams in the competition, so we are expecting a proper battle against them (Italy). "We want to go into this match setting a high standard for ourselves. We have massive respect for all the teams we face, and knowing how strong their scrums are, we really want to make a big impact in the set pieces." Wessels is one of several of the Springboks players who can feature in multiple positions, with centre Andre Esterhuizen playing at flank against the Barbarians. Both know that versatility gives them a better chance of playing. "I don't have a preference (for prop or hooker)," he said. "I just want to contribute wherever I am picked. Playing both positions certainly helped me in getting game time." South Africa host Italy for a second test in Gqeberha on July 12, and then face Georgia a week later in Nelspruit before starting the defence of their Rugby Championship title in August. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Springboks utility front row Wessels expects tough Italy battle
(Reuters) -World champions South Africa will not underestimate Italy when the teams meet in Pretoria on Saturday in the first of two tests this month, but utility front row Jan-Hendrik Wessels says they are targeting dominance in the scrums. Bulls forward Wessels, 24, who can play either prop or hooker, scored a try in Saturday's 54-7 romp past the Barbarians in Cape Town, but expects a totally different challenge at Loftus Versfeld. "I faced Zebre Parma and Benetton in the United Rugby Championship, and we did our homework on those players then, so we know the emphasis they place on the scrums," Wessels told reporters on Monday. "In fact, Zebre Parma had one of their best seasons this year and beat a few big teams in the competition, so we are expecting a proper battle against them (Italy). "We want to go into this match setting a high standard for ourselves. We have massive respect for all the teams we face, and knowing how strong their scrums are, we really want to make a big impact in the set pieces." Wessels is one of several of the Springboks players who can feature in multiple positions, with centre Andre Esterhuizen playing at flank against the Barbarians. Both know that versatility gives them a better chance of playing. "I don't have a preference (for prop or hooker)," he said. "I just want to contribute wherever I am picked. Playing both positions certainly helped me in getting game time." South Africa host Italy for a second test in Gqeberha on July 12, and then face Georgia a week later in Nelspruit before starting the defence of their Rugby Championship title in August. (Reporting by Nick SaidEditing by Christian Radnedge)
Reuters
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Springboks utility front row Wessels expects tough Italy battle
June 30 (Reuters) - World champions South Africa will not underestimate Italy when the teams meet in Pretoria on Saturday in the first of two tests this month, but utility front row Jan-Hendrik Wessels says they are targeting dominance in the scrums. Bulls forward Wessels, 24, who can play either prop or hooker, scored a try in Saturday's 54-7 romp past the Barbarians in Cape Town, but expects a totally different challenge at Loftus Versfeld. "I faced Zebre Parma and Benetton in the United Rugby Championship, and we did our homework on those players then, so we know the emphasis they place on the scrums," Wessels told reporters on Monday. "In fact, Zebre Parma had one of their best seasons this year and beat a few big teams in the competition, so we are expecting a proper battle against them (Italy). "We want to go into this match setting a high standard for ourselves. We have massive respect for all the teams we face, and knowing how strong their scrums are, we really want to make a big impact in the set pieces." Wessels is one of several of the Springboks players who can feature in multiple positions, with centre Andre Esterhuizen playing at flank against the Barbarians. Both know that versatility gives them a better chance of playing. "I don't have a preference (for prop or hooker)," he said. "I just want to contribute wherever I am picked. Playing both positions certainly helped me in getting game time." South Africa host Italy for a second test in Gqeberha on July 12, and then face Georgia a week later in Nelspruit before starting the defence of their Rugby Championship title in August.
TimesLIVE
28-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Springboks batter Baabaas in Cape Town
There were times when this clash did not carry the majesty or grandeur of matches in time honoured Barbarians tradition. The rain that fell on the Grand Parade played a spoiling hand here too but the Springboks kept their powder dry and mustered their champion qualities to thoroughly vanquish the rag-tag visitors. Sure, the rain and accompanying greasy conditions put paid to this match living up to its true festival billing in the first half but through the mist and the drizzle the Springboks, at times viscerally, left no one in doubt they are a team endowed with champion qualities after the break. The first half left the impression that another government sponsored sports wash perhaps got what it deserved from the weeping gods, but the Boks rose above that through their heaven-sent bench in the second half. When the Boks deployed their bench in the 45th minute it did not send tremors around the rugby globe as it did the last time they contested the Qatar Cup. When they humbled the All Blacks in London last year seven hulking forwards were pressed into battle en masse. Nonetheless the impact of the bench was immediately felt on Saturday when replacement prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels dotted down barely two minutes after removing his puffer jacket. That score helped break the dam wall. In the end though it wasn't the Boks' razzmatazz that won the day but their ability to fastidiously stick to script. Their cohesion, particularly up front, ground down the visitors leaving Peter O'Mahony, Sam Cane and others perhaps showing their crusty vintage. The Baabaas at times looked like a team that conceived some of their line-out routines in the bar or conference rooms of Camps Bay's Bay Hotel. As is their staple, the Barbarians were forced to live off scraps. They made little headway as the Boks thud them back in the tackle. With their momentum stunted the odds on them winning this game was as long as the beer queues on this precinct. There were several Boks with a point to prove and almost all did so with aplomb. Lock Lood de Jager cut an influential figure throughout in his first game in the Green and Gold since 2023. De Jager's full restoration to the Bok fold will come as a major boost. His line-out prowess is supreme, while his leg drives in the maul carries weight. It was from his line-out take in the sixth minute that the Boks drove the Barbarians back over their own tryline. Hooker Malcolm Marx was again the grateful beneficiary. That try came on the back of the Barbarians failing to gather the wet ball. Soon after visiting flyhalf Josh Jacomb again dropped the ball to present the Boks a platform from which to launch. The hosts duly did and though they appeared hemmed in by the defence Aphelele Fassi's deft toe prod gave Cheslin Kolbe something of the chase. He scored en route to a man of the match performance. No.8 Jean-Luc du Preez, another long-time absentee from the Boks ranks, was full of honest endeavour. Perhaps predictably given the conditions, flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu delivered a mixed bag. Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg's intelligent use of the boot caged the Barbarians inside their own territory, while replacement Cobus Reinach injected energy and purpose after the break. Kurt-Lee Arendse was typically hawkish in eyeing opportunity, Kolbe played as if fit with all-weather tyres, while Fassi was full of the lustre that has characterised his season. Kolbe was electrifying in the second half. The visitors' scrum infractions started to mount in the first half as the trimmed down tight head prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye made his presence felt in Bok colours. The Boks however did not maintain their grip in that facet and the tourists grew stronger as the first half wore on. Melvyn Jaminet opened the visitors' score in the 65th minute but by then the tourists' baabaalas was well in the making.
