Despite being away from the Springboks' Test squad for some time, Joseph Dweba's aspirations to don the Green and Gold again remain undiminished. The formidable hooker, who last played for the national team in 2023, has been honing his skills at Exeter Chiefs, under the guidance of Rob Baxter. This move could potentially pave his way back into the international arena, much like it did for other players such as Nic White and Dean Mumm.
Dweba's tenure with the Springboks includes six caps, a period during which the team clinched another Rugby World Cup and successive Rugby Championships. However, he now faces stiff competition from world-class talents like Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, and Johan Grobbelaar. Despite these challenges, Dweba remains optimistic. "100%, it’s still a desire to play for them," he affirmed. "As a player, you just need to perform. The moment you perform on the field, you’ll get a shot."
"I’m focusing on performing for the club, and if we do well, then the rest will take care of itself."
Baxter, Exeter Chiefs' director of rugby, has seen players rejuvenate their careers through stints at the club before making international comebacks. He sees a similar trajectory for Dweba. "I think there’s a lot left in him," Baxter commented, highlighting the transformative impact Exeter has had on players' careers.
Since joining Exeter Chiefs, Dweba has become a pivotal part of the team, contributing significantly as they aim for the PREM play-offs and EPCR Challenge Cup success. His experience in the PREM, reminiscent of his days in Super Rugby, has been both challenging and rewarding. "Coming over to the PREM and having all these different mindsets, when I got the opportunity to come to Exeter, I jumped at it and said, ‘I want you to help me become a better player’," Dweba shared about his move.
The 30-year-old hooker has not only grown in his role on the field but also off it, mentoring younger teammates by leveraging his experience. "Now you are the older one with experience. It’s how you channel your experience and actually speak to the younger players and help them help you," he explained. This transition from being mentored to mentoring others marks a significant evolution in his career, reflecting his growth as a player and a leader.
As Dweba continues to make his mark at Exeter, his journey offers a compelling narrative of resilience and adaptation, embodying the spirit of rugby both on and off the field.
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Despite being away from the Springboks' Test squad for some time, Joseph Dweba's aspirations to don the Green and Gold again remain undiminished. The formidable hooker, who last played for the national team in 2023, has been honing his skills at Exeter Chiefs, under the guidance of Rob Baxter. This move could potentially pave his way back into the international arena, much like it did for other players such as Nic White and Dean Mumm.
Dweba's tenure with the Springboks includes six caps, a period during which the team clinched another Rugby World Cup and successive Rugby Championships. However, he now faces stiff competition from world-class talents like Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, and Johan Grobbelaar. Despite these challenges, Dweba remains optimistic. "100%, it’s still a desire to play for them," he affirmed. "As a player, you just need to perform. The moment you perform on the field, you’ll get a shot."
"I’m focusing on performing for the club, and if we do well, then the rest will take care of itself."
Baxter, Exeter Chiefs' director of rugby, has seen players rejuvenate their careers through stints at the club before making international comebacks. He sees a similar trajectory for Dweba. "I think there’s a lot left in him," Baxter commented, highlighting the transformative impact Exeter has had on players' careers.
Since joining Exeter Chiefs, Dweba has become a pivotal part of the team, contributing significantly as they aim for the PREM play-offs and EPCR Challenge Cup success. His experience in the PREM, reminiscent of his days in Super Rugby, has been both challenging and rewarding. "Coming over to the PREM and having all these different mindsets, when I got the opportunity to come to Exeter, I jumped at it and said, ‘I want you to help me become a better player’," Dweba shared about his move.
The 30-year-old hooker has not only grown in his role on the field but also off it, mentoring younger teammates by leveraging his experience. "Now you are the older one with experience. It’s how you channel your experience and actually speak to the younger players and help them help you," he explained. This transition from being mentored to mentoring others marks a significant evolution in his career, reflecting his growth as a player and a leader.
As Dweba continues to make his mark at Exeter, his journey offers a compelling narrative of resilience and adaptation, embodying the spirit of rugby both on and off the field.