Jasper Wiese

Jasper van der Westhuizen Wiese was born on October 21, 1995, in Upington, South Africa. His early rugby career began at Hoërskool Upington, where he distinguished himself, earning provincial call-ups for Griquas Country Districts from 2011 to 2013. During this period, Wiese showcased his physicality and scoring ability in various youth tournaments, including the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week and the Under-18 Craven Week. His knack for scoring tries was evident, consistently placing him among the top try-scorers in these junior competitions. His performances laid the foundation for his progression into professional rugby.

After high school, Wiese continued his development at the Free State Cheetahs academy and with the CUT Ixias university team. He gained his first senior experience in the 2014 Varsity Shield, contributing to CUT’s victory and promotion to the Varsity Cup. His time in the Free State also saw him excel in the Under-19 and Under-21 Provincial Championships, often leading his teams in try-scoring, notably a hat-trick against the Sharks U21 in 2015. He made his first-class debut with the Free State XV in the 2016 Currie Cup qualification season, scoring his first senior career try against the Golden Lions XV. These formative years honed his skills and prepared him for higher levels of competition.

From 2020 to 2024, Wiese played for Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby, where he made a significant impact with his forceful ball-carrying, earning “Man of the Match” accolades and drawing comparisons to established international players. He played a crucial role in Leicester’s Premiership final victory in 2022, scoring a try and being named “Man of the Match.” His strong club form led to his international debut for South Africa in 2021, and he was part of the Springboks’ 2023 Rugby World Cup squad. Having established himself as a prominent figure in international rugby, Wiese moved to Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan Rugby League One in 2024, continuing his professional career abroad. In May 2024, he was named in the Premiership Rugby Team of the Season for the 2023–24 campaign.