Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, some players have a knack for finding a second wind when they’re all but forgotten. WP Nel and Ashley Johnson go head-to-head in the quest to find South Africa’s best rebounder.
One of rugby’s original hard men with the unmistakable mop of hair, Ashley Johnson transcended his South African reputation by becoming one of the best to ply his trade abroad.
Standout performances for the Cheetahs in a forgettable 2011 Super Rugby campaign earned Johnson three Bok caps in the same year, but it was up north where the burly ball-carrier sparked to life.
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Johnson moved to greener pastures in 2012, joining English Premiership club Wasps based in Coventry. Comfortable in the loose trio and at hooker, Johnson’s versatility and reliability over eight campaigns with Wasps culminated in an incredible 198 caps and 42 tries.
Often touted as one of the best signings in the club’s history, Johnson was an instant hit at Wasps, making confrontational runs and crunching tackles that earned the South African a cult following as a hard player and humble character.
A powerhouse prop that drove the Cheetahs scrum for many years, WP Nel never cracked the Bok team and opted to move to Scotland, a call that did wonders for his career and the success of the Scotland national team.
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Since joining Edinburgh in 2012, Nel has collected an astounding 185 caps complemented by 21 tries. Three years into his Edinburgh move, Nel became eligible to represent Scotland, making his debut against Italy in 2015.
Capped 54 times with three tries to boot, Nel successfully anchored the Scotland scrum.
@WP_Nel continues to power scrums and rucks for @EdinburghRugby at the grand age of 35 ?#URC#URC pic.twitter.com/9B8Clwf3WV
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) October 19, 2021