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Boks grapple with No 8 conundrum
The Mercury
|July 29, 2025
SINCE the day Duane Vermeulen took off the Springbok No 8 jersey after the World Cup final in 2023, there has been a constant struggle to find someone to fill it consistently.
Coach Rassie Erasmus would be forgiven for considering the position cursed, and Jasper Wiese, the man long tipped to be Vermeulen's successor, will testify that it is.
Earlier this year, the Springboks indirectly suffered a blow when two exceptional Bulls No 8s - Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw - suffered season-ending injuries in the United Rugby Championship. Whenever it looks like Wiese is building up a head of steam at No 8, injury or suspension strikes to remove him from the Bok fold for long periods.
It is currently another suspension - for a "headbutt" that was more of a nudge in the series against Italy - that has sidelined the likeable but unlucky Wiese.
He will not play in the imminent two Tests against the Wallabies or the tournament's climax against the All Blacks in Auckland. Wiese is cleared to play in the second Test against New Zealand, in Wellington, a week after the September 6 clash at Eden Park.
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