Vodacom Bulls utility forward Cobus Wiese says he would love to learn from Springbok legend Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Wiese, who was part of a wider Springbok squad in 2018 before suffering a neck injury, was one of 17 Bulls called up to the first alignment camp of 2025 in Cape Town from 10-12 March.
“I’m really privileged and grateful to be invited, but I also know that it’s only a foot in the door, so by no means am I in the team yet or there yet,” he said on Tuesday.
“For me, it’s about focusing on doing the basics well, playing consistently well and working hard. We’ve kind of got this theme going at the Bulls that if we do things well that don’t require talent, then the talent will separate you from other guys. If I can do that, I’ll give myself the best chance to get in [to the Springbok team].”
Wiese has been tipped as a long-term successor to Du Toit, but is reluctant to be compared to the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year.
“I had the privilege of playing with Pieter-Steph back in 2017 and 2018 [with Western Province and the Stormers]. He’s world class and I would definitely love to learn from him,” he said.
“I think one thing that I can work on is building an engine like him – I don’t think I’ll ever get there – that guy just doesn’t stop it, he just keeps on going, keeps on getting up. I think that’s a big mentality thing.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to fill his shoes one day, but it would be a privilege to be the guy after him.”
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Wiese left Cape Town in 2018 for a four-year stint with the Sale Sharks in England, before signing a two-year deal with the Bulls.
The 27-year-old said he had worked hard on both himself and his game in a bid to catch the eye of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus again.
“Coming from the Premiership into the URC, it’s a bit of a different game module. The weather makes a big difference and the Bulls are a side that play exciting rugby, which requires more running. So I’ve worked hard on dropping a bit of weight, especially now that I’m playing seven and four. I think if you want to be a utility forward you have to be mobile enough to do that.
“It’s also about bettering yourself in the small stuff, like lineout detail, being quicker on your jumps, getting quicker off the floor after you’ve had a contact involvement. Again, stuff that doesn’t require talent, those small things that don’t seem to make a big difference but in the end, they do.”
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