Saffas Abroad: Wiese makes mark on return from suspension

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Jasper Wiese put in a powerhouse display with ball in hand to help the Leicester Tigers beat the Newcastle Falcons in round 15 of the Premiership this past weekend.

Wiese returned from a four-week suspension for dangerous play, but got stuck in for Leicester, helping them claim a 26-12 win and keep their slim hopes up of finishing in a playoff place this season.

The No 8 made 46 metres from 14 carries, five passes and beat five defenders. Defensively he made seven tackles, missing two. However, there should be increasing concern over his discipline as he was fortunate not to be yellow-carded for a dangerous cleanout, which bordered on being a red-card incident. This is something Wiese will need to work on to reach his ambition of playing for the Springboks.

Equally impressive for the Tigers was Hanro Liebenberg, who scored a well-taken try and was massive on defence, missing just one of his 14 tackle attempts, which included a try-saver in the second half and a chargedown in the first half.

Meanwhile, Akker van der Merwe got on the scoresheet as the Sale Sharks held on to claim a narrow 20-19 win over Wasps in Coventry. The Springbok hooker scored from a driving maul, but was also one of four Sale players yellow-carded in an ill-tempered second half.

Also in action for Sale were all three Du Preez brothers, Robert, Jean-Luc and Dan, Cobus Wiese and Coenie Oosthuizen, while Rohan Janse van Rensburg started at inside centre after returning from injury.

Other impressive South African performers in the Premiership this weekend included Harlequins’ Andre Esterhuizen and Tyrone Green, Gloucester’s Ruan Ackermann and Northampton Saints lock David Ribbans, who continues to push for a place in the England squad.

Photo: Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images

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SA Rugby magazine