CAPE TOWN – DHL Stormers flank Cobus Wiese was named as the official SANZAAR Vodacom Super Rugby player of the week after a remarkable performance against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The youngster, who originally hails from Upington, has just six DHL Stormers caps to his name, having made his Vodacom Super Rugby debut against the Sunwolves in Singapore last year.
Wiese is a product of the Western Province Rugby Institute, having represented DHL Western Province U19 and the Junior Springboks in 2016 before moving up to the senior ranks in 2017, going on to score a try in the Currie Cup Final as DHL Western Province claimed their 34th title in Durban last year.
Although the DHL Stormers went down 45-28 against the defending champions at the AMI Stadium last Saturday, Wiese was an immense presence on the side of the scrum throughout the match.
The 20-year-old stamped his authority in Christchurch with a powerful display which saw him record some incredible numbers to be named in the Vodacom Super Rugby team of the week alongside Stormers teammate Wilco Louw.
Wiese showed his defensive prowess by making 15 out of 16 tackles and securing three turnovers.
He made a significant impact with the ball-in-hand as well, making 14 carries including two clean breaks and one try assist for a gain of 59 metres.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said that Wiese has shown in no uncertain terms that he is a star of the future.
“Cobus was our man of the match, he was outstanding. For a 20-year-old to deliver a performance like that in New Zealand is outstanding. He was absolutely everywhere and really stuck his hand up.
“It was a top performance from such a young kid physically and emotionally, just his work-rate around the park,” he said.