Jan-Hendrik Wessels is relishing his opportunities at loosehead prop and hooker for the Vodacom Bulls, regardless of the number on the back of his jersey.

Wessels has made a huge impact off the bench for Jake White’s troops this season, scoring four tries from 12 appearances with just five starts.

He was called up to Rassie Erasmus’ first Springbok alignment camp of 2025 in early March, along with fellow Bulls front-row powerhouses Akker van der Merwe, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw and Gerhard Steenekamp.

Speaking in the buildup to Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final against Edinburgh at Hive Stadium, Wessels addressed his versatility and ‘super-sub’ role.

“There’s a side picked on the weekend and each individual has his job to do. I think where rugby is going at the moment, the eight guys on the bench are almost just as important as the guys starting,” the 23-year-old told reporters.

“If the coaches select me there, it’s my responsibility to do my utmost best to give it to the team.

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“So if it’s the one jersey or the 17, or the two jersey or the 16 jersey, it’s just for me to do my best and give it all to the team.

“At the moment I’m focusing on both positions so I don’t have a preference. It’s just for me to grow as a player.”

In last week’s 32-22 win by the Bulls in Bayonne, Wessels was for the third time this season named at No 16 – the traditional role of the replacement hooker – but came on at loosehead before seamlessly shifting to the middle of the front row. 

“I scrum in both positions in the week,” he replied to whether it comes as a surprise when the coaches reveal where he will pack down. “I won’t say it’s a planned thing going into the weekend, but it’s always a possibility.

“From my side, I want to do everything I can through the week to be at my utmost prepared at both positions.”

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Wessels’ lineout throwing against Bayonne also looked impressive, towards the front, middle and back of the set piece.

“If you get time under the belt in the game it helps a lot,” he said. “We’ve got good locks coming through and the guys make it really easy picking the right options.

“You can always slip a lift or something like that and you’ll look at the hooker and it’s maybe his fault. But for the guys pitching up on Saturday, it’s just working hard to perfect everything and it’s obviously making my job a lot easier.”

But, is the three-Test Bok volunteering to play fullback, after his impressive counter-attack at the Parc des Sports led to Bulls centre David Kriel’s try?

“No, I’ll stick to the front two for now,” he smiled.

Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images