Leicester powerhouse Jasper Wiese never takes a backward step and is now eyeing back-to-back titles

They like it tough at Leicester and they’re not much tougher than Tigers and Springbok powerhouse Jasper Wiese, the rampaging number 8 chasing back-to-back Premiership titles.

So tough is Wiese, in fact, that in 2019 the only damage he sustained when he was accidentally hit squarely in the face by an errant golf club was the loss of a tooth.

Wiese smiles broadly as he tells the story, his wide-eyed grin revealing the hole in his mouth that still exists. Dental surgery remains necessary to fix what happened.

“I was hit on the head by a driver while playing golf,” says Wiese, laughing loudly.

“I was behind a guy when he turned and put one in the bushes. I thought he was done but he did one more practice swing and when he came back he slapped me on the mouth.

The 27-year-old striker is looking forward to consecutive Premiership titles with Leicester Tigers

“It was a huge accident. People always ask me if I lost my tooth playing rugby, but it was just golf – I got too close to the game! I’m going to find out now and get a new tooth!’

At a club that has produced iconic names such as Johnson, Richards, Back and Cockerill, Wiese is the latest in a long line of no-nonsense Leicester forwards.

The South African fits perfectly into the Tigers environment of hard work and pure physicality.

He immediately feels at home when he takes a seat on the training ground of Oval Park, the club’s training ground. On the field, Wiese never takes a step back.

Leicester fans love him for the way he puts their team at the forefront, charging forward and batting opponents’ tackle attempts like flies.

But beyond that, the 27-year-old is very different. He attaches great importance to his Christian faith. The death of his sister Maretha – who was hit by a bus in Cape Town at the age of 30 – means that Wiese is well aware that there are much more important things than rugby.

“It’s a bigger goal that we’re playing for,” says Wiese. “It (Christianity) keeps you calm and brings a little ease that rugby isn’t the biggest part of your life. It is certainly important, but it (religion) is also very important to me. I won’t say I think about my sister daily or I’d be devastated!

“It (Maretha’s death) told me to play every game like it was my last. Hopefully I have many more games in me, but a few things in my life are being put into perspective right now.

“You can’t take anything in life for granted because it can all be so easily taken away.”

It is the ultimate irony that upon arrival at Leicester in 2020, Wiese was nowhere near international rugby after a mediocre career in his home country of South Africa.

At Leicester he has exploded to prominence and also become a springbok. Wiese was man of the match in last season’s Premiership final as the Tigers claimed a deserved title.

Steve Borthwick (left) and Kevin Sinfield (right) left to lead England midway through the season, but Leicester have still managed to make the play-offs

On Sunday the men travel from Welford Road to Sale for a final four game. A win would secure a return for Twickenham and maintain an opportunity to take back-to-back league victories.

Leicester has always been known for its tough playing style. It made me excited to come here,” says Wiese, who has made 40-yard breaks in a Tigers shirt a habit.

“It is a club with a very proud tradition. I try to give my game an edge, but I don’t go crazy and I don’t run into walls! I tend to just chat about what we’re going to do. Then I’ll get to work with it!’

No wonder Wiese fits Leicester like a glove.

He will have to be a key player if the Tigers are to win against Sale. Wiese laments the fact that he cannot compete against his brother Cobus, who is with the Sharks but is currently injured.

‘My father and mother will not be there, but my brother will be,’ says Wiese. ‘He’s probably having a beer in the stands! My mom watches rugby, but my dad doesn’t like it.

“He had a bad experience growing up. A coach yelled at him when he was 13 and he decided he wouldn’t play. It was that simple!

“If he had followed rugby he would have been an excellent player. My mother played korfball and athletics, our love for sports certainly comes from her.’

Leicester have defied the mid-season loss of coaches Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield to England to make the play-offs and are a team on form.

Leicester fans love him for the way the rampaging No. 8 puts their team at the forefront

With Wiese in their ranks, you wouldn’t bet against them shocking Sale.

“The real business end of the season starts this week,” he says. It’s a season with ups and downs.

“I am in a very privileged position. I won the league and was called up to South Africa – I don’t know how to count all my blessings. I don’t have enough fingers or toes!

‘These angels are working overtime! I hope my sister looks down and can be proud of us. If she was still with us, I think she would be.’