2025’s Unsung Boks #2: Jasper Wiese
by KickOff Rugby · KickOffIn this series of articles, KickOff reviews the rugby year that was, this time identifying the Springboks who made significant contributions to the season while still flying somewhat under the radar.
Jasper Wiese
2025 Test Caps: 9 (9 starts, 0 as replacement)
Jasper Wiese had to work his way into the hearts of Springbok fans the hard way. Not only did he have to replace the legendary Duane Vermeulen at the base of the scrum, he had to find a way to translate his high impact style to the international game.
Both of those he did in emphatic fashion in 2025 although he was made to do it the hard way after a moment of madness in the second Test against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium saw him red-carded and the shine taken off what should have been a special day for the Wiese family as brother Cobus made his Springbok debut.
However a 22nd minute headbutt from Jasper saw him sent off by referee Andrew Brace and a subsequent 4-match ban. An independent committee upheld the red card, suspending Wiese for four matches, including South Africa vs. Georgia (July 19), two against Australia (August), and vs. New Zealand (September). Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus called it a "sad" moment overshadowing the win.
Read more | 2025’s Unsung Boks #3:Grant Williams
Wiese has established himself as the engine of the Springbok pack by embracing a role of pure collision dominance. He isn’t trying to be a hybrid loose forward; he operates as a specialist battering ram who consistently tops the charts for metres gained and carries among Tier 1 Number 8s since the 2023 World Cup.
By drawing in multiple defenders with almost every run, he effectively drives the attack forward, compressing the opposition and creating the necessary space for South Africa’s evolving attacking shape to flourish.
The true measure of his influence was evident during his suspension in the 2025 season, where the Springboks struggled to generate momentum in losses to Australia and New Zealand. His return sparked immediate cohesion and decisive victories against the All Blacks in Wellington, Argentina, and France. Wiese has succeeded Vermeulen not by mimicking the veteran’s broad skillset, but by perfecting a singular, violent efficiency that allows his fellow loose forwards to focus on their own natural games.