FILE - The Bulls’ Jan Hendrik Wessels goes on the run during a European Champions Cup match against Lyon in 2022. The versatile Wessels will run out at hooker for the Springboks against Argentina on Saturday. FILE - The Bulls’ Jan Hendrik Wessels goes on the run during a European Champions Cup match against Lyon in 2022. The versatile Wessels will run out at hooker for the Springboks against Argentina on Saturday. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP
Rassie Erasmus comparing Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ ability in the tight-loose to that of the great Os du Randt is probably all you need to know about the potential of the young front-rower.
Du Randt, who will go down as one of the greatest ever Springboks, was an absolute machine on the field. Besides his powerful scrumming ability at loosehead, he was more than just a handful with ball in hand, while opposition attackers who ran down his channel were often smashed back to where they came from.
Wessels already showed signs of his dynamic abilities on the field while still in the school benches at Grey College in Bloemfontein, and at the various national age-group levels after school.
But the big difference between Wessels and Du Randt, is that the youngster has the ability to do it in different positions. At school he played prop and hooker, and even started a few games in the second row as a lock.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels has always been a BEAST 😤#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/uOkAlgu1lj
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) August 25, 2021
Wessels has been on Erasmus’ radar for a long time, coming through SA Rugby’s EPD system (Early Player Development) before linking up with Jake White and the Bulls to start his professional career.
Wessels made his Springboks’ debut against Portugal at loosehead earlier this year and also featured in the second Test against Wallabies at Perth.
But now the 23-year-old Wessels will get a shot at hooker after he was picked on the bench behind Malcolm Marx for the Springboks’ Rugby Championship match against Argentina’s Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero (11pm kickoff).
Erasmus likes a versatile player who can thrive in multiple positions on a rugby field. It’s why some of the four scrumhlaves he took to the Rugby World Cup in France also featured at flyhalf and on the wing.
“I’m excited about what he can bring in the tight-loose. I know he is a hooker, chubbier than Malcolm, but he reminds me of Ollie Le Roux and Os du Randt,” Erasmus said.
“At his age, I think he is ready to show us that he can pack down in the No 1 jersey and at hooker. That will be a luxury for us when picking a squad in the future.
Can’t believe we missed this incredible one handed catch by Jan-Hendrik Wessels 😎#TrueToTheBlue #BullsFamily pic.twitter.com/t9sntvMzBr
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) March 29, 2021
“When he is picked, we have three hookers, and five props instead of four. If he can be as dynamic in the loose as what he showed at school level, U20 level and in the Boks’ practice sessions, then I think he will go well.”
Hooker is, of course, is lot more technical than playing loosehead prop, where you just have to scrum and maul well and get around the park.
Throwing the ball into the lineout and finding his jumpers is going to be the biggest challenge, but Erasmus is giving the youngster some leeway to gain confidence in the position.
“We want him to scrum well. We want him to be accurate when throwing the ball into the lineout, although we know the lineout is not just the hooker’s job to get it right - supporters, jumpers, timing and movement is key,” Erasmus said.
“If he misses a few balls this weekend, don’t just think it’s his fault, there are many moving parts in the lineout.”
“When Jan-Hendrik and Simphiwe get going they’re like two Rhinos that escaped the circus” 🦏 🎙 Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Simphiwe Matanzima made a huge impact off the bench last week 😤![CDATA[]]>💪#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/QgJJs3ntRT
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) August 16, 2021
It will definitely be a lot more challenging for Wessels to move around the front row in different positions at international level than it was at schoolboy level.
But the Bulls man is working with some of the best set-piece coaches in the business at the Boks.
Earlier this year, Wessels said he is relishing the challenge of being the Springboks’ new Swiss Army knife in the front row.
“I think at school it’s not that difficult to move around. I played prop a bit after school, played hooker and then prop again,” said Wessels.
“It’s just about working hard, because obviously there are two jobs to focus on.
“Playing with and scrummaging against players like Du Toit, Frans Malherbe, Vincent Koch at training and the other front rowers is a fantastic experience, and what makes this environment so special is that everyone wants one another to do well.”
Erasmus will be hoping Wessels’ attitude off the field can make him as good as Os du Randt was on it.
@JohnGoliath82