Having been included in a tour squad for the first time on the back of an impressive debut, Jan-Hendrik Wessels is excited by the “different challenge” of facing the Wallabies in Australia.
Wessels was named in the 33-man squad for the Rugby Championship and will be jetting off with the Springboks to Australia on Wednesday, 11 days after earning his first Test cap.
The 23-year-old utility front ranker – adept at loosehead prop and hooker – scored on debut against Portugal in Bloemfontein and is inspired to become a more regular feature in the Bok squad over the next four-year cycle.
“It was a surprise and dream come true when I was first selected for the squad, but to get the opportunity to play against Portugal, and now to tour with the team to Australia has made me even hungrier to be part of this special environment,” Wessels told the Springboks website.
“I know facing Australia and possibly the likes of New Zealand and Argentina will be a completely different challenge, but it excites me immensely.
“The Wallabies are a tough team to face on their home ground, but to be surrounded with so many World Cup-winners and such an amazing group of players, who are so supportive, and all have the team goal in mind, makes the Springbok set-up unbelievable.
There are obviously senior players in the squad, some of whom have won two World Cups, but each player – young and old – has their own role to play and they need to take ownership of that responsibility, and the coaches trust us to do that,” Wessels added.
“They also encourage everyone to give their opinions which really makes this squad distinct.”
The Springboks had their second day of gym and field training sessions on Tuesday after gathering in Johannesburg on Sunday.
The world champions will depart for Australia on Wednesday to allow them sufficient time to acclimatise before their first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday, 10 August.
Photo: Charle Lombard/Gallo Images
The post Wessels pumped for first Bok tour appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
