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Schoolboy superstar's transition into giant hooker nearing completion
By Jan De Koning
The evolution of Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been unconventional, to say the least. The 22-year-old – who featured at lock, loose forward and in the front row at school – is now being groomed as the next ‘hooker project’ at the Bulls.
Born in Bloemfontein and schooled at Grey College, he was a superstar in age-group rugby.
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White even once compared him to the two-time World Cup-winning Springbok prop Os du Randt.
However, Wessels – at 1.90 metres and 120 kilograms – is now getting most of his game time in the No.2 jersey and being compared to Bok great Malcolm Marx.
Wessels has played 169 minutes of the Bulls’ 180 minutes in this year’s Champions Cup campaign.
He played 12 minutes in the 27-16 Round One win over Saracens, played 80 minutes in the 28-29 Round Two loss to Lyon Olympique and 77 minutes in last week’s Round Three win (31-17) over Bristol Bears.
Wessels will also start when the Bulls host Bordeaux Bègles in a Champions Cup crunch match in Pretoria on Saturday.
He made 91 metres from 18 carries in Europe this season, with one clean break and statistics also reflect that he has beaten two defenders.
The rookie hooker has made 25 tackles, at a success rate of 81 percent – with two turnovers.
Some of his core skills, such as line-out throwing, do need work. Last week in Bristol the Bulls won less than 90 percent of their line-outs.
However, that is not of concern to the Bulls boss, who pointed out that Marx also struggled with his core skills when he first came on the scene.
“I am confident he [Wessels] will get it right,” White said.
“There is a hooker called Malcolm Marx, who lost a Test for South Africa against New Zealand and lost a couple of games for the Lions during his ‘learning’ process.
“Now Malcolm Marx is one of the best players in the world,” White said of the 64-times capped Bok stalwart. “That is the school fees you have to pay,” the Bulls boss said about his rookie No.2.
“The only way he is going to learn is by playing in a big game and throwing the ball in on the tryline.
“I am happy to keep pushing him, because when he gets it right, he has all the attributes to be a great player.
“He knows he has to work hard on that. I am comfortable, the more he gets into those situations, the better he will become.”
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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