Springbok powerhouse Jasper Wiese is set to miss much of the Rugby Championship after his forehead decided to make unwelcome contact with an Italian player's noggin in Gqeberha. The incident, which saw Wiese receive a red card during South Africa’s demolition job on Italy (45-0, if you need reminding), has earned him a four-match holiday courtesy of a World Rugby disciplinary panel. The verdict was handed down this Tuesday, putting Wiese on the sidelines for some key upcoming matches.
Specifically, Wiese will be absent for the closing test of the Incoming Series against Georgia in Nelspruit, followed by both bouts against Australia in Johannesburg and Cape Town on the 16th and 23rd of August, respectively. He’ll also miss the opening skirmish against the All Blacks in Auckland on September 6. Talk about bad timing!
"It’s unfortunate that Jasper will miss these crucial matches, but we respect the disciplinary process,"
mentioned an unnamed Springbok spokesperson, presumably while shaking their head disapprovingly.For those keeping score, Wiese is no stranger to being in the hot seat. His time with Leicester Tigers was peppered with suspensions, including a two-week benching for a reckless tackle in 2021. Not to mention a red card for a dangerous tackle in his final game for the Tigers, which saw him sidelined for six matches. Seems like Jasper’s been playing a bit too much 'heads or tails' with the rules, if you catch my drift.
Wiese will next be eligible to lace up his boots for the return match against New Zealand in Wellington on September 13, followed by a pair of fixtures against Argentina in Durban and then London. By then, let’s hope he’s recalibrated his compass of combativeness to stay within the legal lines of rugby warfare.
Until then, the Boks might be mulling over whether Siya Kolisi could switch to number 8 to fill the gap. It’s all hands on deck as the green and gold brigade looks to navigate this unexpected storm without their human wrecking ball. Here’s to hoping Wiese’s time off the pitch is spent in contemplation rather than confrontation!