Bulls head coach Jake White is confident that Jan-Hendrik Wessels could adapt to hooker after the 20-year-old prop was fielded in the No 2 jersey in a club rugby match.
Wessels was surprisingly fielded at hooker for Pretoria rugby club in their Carlton League match against Tuks on Saturday.
The move was part of help the Bulls’ new commitment to synergise and foster better relationships with Pretoria rugby clubs. Contracted Bulls players were allocated to the Carlton League clubs via a draft system similar to the NFL format.
No less than 11 players made their Carlton league debut on Saturday, as the 2021 season kicked off.
A former SA Schools and Grey College star, Wessels has been fielded at both loosehead and tighthead prop for the Bulls, but has struggled in his debut professional season.
Speaking to Rapport, White had no doubts about Wessels’ talent – comparing him to former Springbok captain John Smit – but said that there is going to have to be patience in allowing the youngster to grow.
‘You are going to going to write his name a lot in the future,’ White said. ‘He is going to play 100 Tests for the Springboks, so I have to be very patient.
‘He is an incredibly talented rugby player. I have not seen a player who can do so much for so long.
‘This was not a trial run. If he can play hooker, and I am sure that he can because he can do anything, he is going to have a lot of value. He can run, tackle, carry the ball, play at loosehead and tighthead prop.
‘Remember he is still a young man. My patience with him will never run out and it is part of my work here to develop players for the Bulls and the Springboks.’
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
