Ex-Springboks hail ‘explosive’ rookie forward but issue ultimatum over future

Former Springboks Schalk Burger and Hanyani Shimange believe that Jan-Hendrik Wessels needs to settle in a front-row position in order to become a regular starter for South Africa.

23-year-old Wessels made his Test debut for the Boks in the 64-21 victory over Portugal in Bloemfontein, producing a strong performance at loosehead prop that included a try.

Ever since he played nearly every position in the forward pack during his impressive performances for Grey College, the front-rower has been generally projected for a successful career.

Amazingly athletic for his size, Wegers played prop rugby in his youth before transitioning to the front row at the senior level and starting most of the Bulls’ games at hooker.

Though the former Springboks are optimistic about the prospect’s future as a hooker and covering prop for the national side, head coach Rassie Erasmus gave him his debut in the number one jumper against Portugal.

Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ ultimatum

Ex Springboks Jean de Villiers, Shimange and Burger discussed his future in the set-up while reviewing his performance against Portugal.

“I don’t think the [scrum] test was that big,” former prop Shimange said on The Verdict show reviewing the Boks’ win over Portugal.

“But Wessels doesn’t have enough minutes for me at loosehead prop [in senior rugby] but at hooker he does, but his point of difference is that if you had to watch him playing touch rugby you don’t know whether he’s a prop or centre because he is so good and explosive.”

Wessels’ ability around the park was also hailed by ex-flanker Burger.

“You’ll see him pop up a lot in running these support lines that you would normally see from a hooker,” he added.

“It was great to see him on those support lines but he is either has to be a hooker or a loosehead, he cannot be both.”

Next John Smit or Os du Randt

Shimange agreed that for his development, he will need to focus on one position but believed that he can thrive with whichever one he selects.

However, the issue for Wessels is the competition in the Bulls front-row as he was the third-choice hooker behind Johan Grobbelaar – who also debuted against Portugal – and Akker van der Merwe.

He didn’t play any matches for the Bulls at loosehead prop during the 2023/24 season with Gerhard Steenekamp and Simphiwe Matanzima preferred for the roles.

“I remember when he arrived at the Bulls Jake White said he was the next Os du Randt and then he was the next John Smit,” Shimange added.

“He is going to have to find a position [and stick to it] otherwise he’s always going to be a squad player where he can be used at loosehead or at hooker – he is going to have find a place where he can fire from.“From an athletic point of view, he carries he runs, he cleans, he does everything and he’s good enough as an athlete that if you give him enough time at loosehead prop – he will become a dominant aggressive scrummager but whether he’s going to be given the time or not is another question.

“At the Bulls it was Akker and Grobbelaar so he was even the third-choice hooker and out of the mix at a stage – so where does he sit?”