The 1.99m, 125kg Transvaal giant was an imposing figure on the pitch who relished physical confrontation. In what in hindsight proved a blessing in disguise to South African props, lifting in the lineout in Wiese’s era was not allowed. The big man leaped into the air like a man half his size, making him a solid option on the Boks’ throw and a constant threat on the oppositions’ throw.

Wiese made his Springbok debut at the age of 29 against France in Durban on June 26, 1993 and played just one more Test – against Samoa – by the time the 1995 World Cup kicked off. Wiese missed the opening match against Australia but started in each of the remaining matches including the final against the All Blacks.

Wiese’s most memorable Test was against Wales at Ellis Park on September 2, 1995, South Africa’s first as world champions. Wiese scored his first and only Test try as the Boks romped to a 40-11 win, but that was not the only contribution he made to the victory. In the fourth minute, Wiese punched lineout kingpin Derwyn Jones, knocking him out cold. The punch went unnoticed by the referee, but a citing after the match lead to a three-match suspension.

Wiese’s provincial career spanned from 1988-1996 during which he played 135 matches for Transvaal and the Lions. He was a member of the all-conquering Transvaal squad that won both the Currie Cup and Super 10 in 1993 and earned a second Currie Cup winners medal the following year.

He now owns the very successful Wiesenhof Coffees, which has 45 francises throughout the country. He also works as a commentator, a TV presenter and a consultant.

Records/Honours: