Borthwick heaps praise on Jasper Wiese ahead of Lions series

Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick has given a hugely positive endorsement of his young number 8 Jasper Wiese ahead of the British & Irish Lions series in South Africa. 

Wiese stormed his way into the Springbok squad with magnificent displays of both physicality and skill in the Premiership since he joined up with Leicester from the Cheetahs.  

The Boks received some ill news recently with the injury to regular number 8 Duane Vermeulen, however, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus believes they have just the man for the job to fill Vermeulen’s considerable shoes. 

“Lucky for us Jasper can play No.8, with Duane’s injury now,” Erasmus said at the recent Springbok squad announcement. 

“You can’t ignore the form he is in. He is just the outstanding South African guy playing Premiership, he is just knocking the door down.”

Erasmus’ sentiments were echoed by Borthwick who has enjoyed the spoils of having the 25 year-old Wiese in his pack of forwards. In 14 appearances for Leicester, Wiese has made 177 carries yielding a total of 705 metres gained. He has made 117 tackles, beaten 54 defenders, made 8 clean breaks, 4 turnovers and scored 3 tries. 

“Generally he is a quiet, reserved character,” Borthwick said. 

“On the field, he leads by actions. 

“He rarely speaks but when he does his words have a significant effect on those around him. 

“He wants to learn all the time, wants to get better, he’s brilliant. It has been a privilege to coach him over this last period of time. 

“They will know him very well. They have been tracking him. He is a real passionate, driven rugby player. 

“[He is] a fierce competitor and still a young man. He is young in his professional rugby career. He is desperate to take on every bit of learning to improve. 

“There are plenty of [standout] moments. He is a player who the other players love playing with. 

“If your teammates want to go on the field with you then it says a lot about your character and what you bring to them.”