Jan-Hendrik Wessels is making a compelling case as one of the Springboks' most valuable squad assets, not through a starting berth but through his ability to cover both loosehead prop and hooker at Test level. The piece draws on his post-match comments after the 43-0 demolition of Wales to explain how that versatility is managed — it's not ad hoc. Wessels describes a structured weekly preparation where he trains exclusively in whichever role is needed that Saturday, supported by a coaching team that includes Human, Davids, Flannery, and analyst Joe Lewis. Against England he was used purely at loosehead; against Scotland he was introduced at prop first to settle into the tempo before shifting to hooker. The piece also touches on the front-row culture driving his motivation — the starting trio sets a standard that makes the bench unit determined not to drop it, which goes some way to explaining South Africa's 100% scrum success rate against Wales.
Wessels thriving in Bok dual-role — and the coaching setup is the reason why
Wessels explains the structured coaching approach behind his loosehead/hooker dual role — and why that versatility makes him one of the Boks' most useful squad assets off the bench.
Erasmus: 'We don't see the Nations Championship as a competition'
Erasmus says the Boks won't adjust their approach to chase Nations Championship log points — each Test is treated as a standalone match, with squad rotation across the window as the priority over competition standings.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Boks regroup in Johannesburg ahead of Nations Championship opener against England
The Springboks wrap up a week of Johannesburg training on Thursday and reassemble Sunday for Test-week preparations ahead of their Nations Championship opener against England at Ellis Park on July 4.
Erasmus warns Boks: England bring youth, experience and tactical unpredictability to Ellis Park
Rassie Erasmus has praised England's touring squad as young, experienced and tactically unpredictable ahead of the Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park on 4 July, while Siya Kolisi returns as captain for a fixture that marked his first Test captaincy in 2018.
Rassie Erasmus & Mzwandile Stick | Springbok and SA 'A' team announcements | 16 June 2026
Rassie Erasmus and Mzwandile Stick announced the Springbok and SA 'A' teams on Tuesday, ahead of Saturday's season-opening double-header in Gqeberha, when the Boks will face the Barbarians at 15h00, preceded by the 'A' team's match against