Kobus Wiese

Jakobus Johannes Wiese (born 16 May 1964) is a former South African rugby union player who played at lock for the South Africa national rugby union team between 1993 and 1996. He was a specialist number 2 jumper in the lineout, and rampant in the tight loose and loose. He is married and has two children.

Playing career

Provincial Wiese started his South African provincial career with , after which he moved to and finally to , (later renamed the Golden Lions) in what is considered the strongest side ever fielded by the province. The 1993 side won the M-NET Night Series, Percy Frames Trophy, Super 10, Lion Cup and Currie Cup.

International Wiese made his debut for the Springboks in the first test against France in 1993, which ended in a 20-all draw. He lost his test place after this, but was part of the touring squads to Australia in 1993, New Zealand in 1994 and Wales and Scotland at the end of 1994, before returning to the test team against before the 1995 World Cup. He was part of the winning squad of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

He received a three-match ban for punching and knocking unconscious Derwyn Jones of Wales, after Jones slapped him in the face, in the 40–11 win in 1995. Jones was a major line out threat and was rendered unconscious and sidelined by a punch from behind in the fourth minute of the match. Wiese later scored a try in that match, but received a 30-day ban and a 50,000 Rand fine for his action.

He won his last cap for the Springboks on 15 December 1996 against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff. Wiese has the unique distinction of never playing in a losing Springbok side when he made the first XV.

Test history World Cup final No. Opposition Result (SA 1st) Position Tries Date Venue 1. 20–20 Lock 26 June 1993 Kings Park, Durban 2. 60–8 Lock 13 April 1995 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 3. 21–8 Lock 30 May 1995 Newlands, Cape Town 4. 20–0 Lock 3 June 1995 Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth 5. 42–14 Lock 10 June 1995 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 6. 19–15 Lock 17 June 1995 Kings Park, Durban 7. 15–12 Lock 24 June 1995 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 8. 40–11 Lock 1 2 September 1995 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 9. 40–21 Lock 12 November 1995 Stadio Olimpico, Rome 10. 24–14 Lock 18 November 1995 Twickenham, London 11. 19–23 Replacement 17 August 1996 Kings Park, Durban 12. 26–33 Replacement 24 August 1996 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 13. 32–22 Lock 31 August 1996 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 14. 46–15 Lock 9 November 1996 Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires 15. 44–21 Lock 16 November 1996 Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires 16. 22–12 Lock 30 November 1996 Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux 17. 13–12 Lock 7 December 1996 Parc des Princes, Paris 18. 37–20 Lock 15 December 1996 Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff

Honours

Province Winner of the Currie Cup 1993, 1994 Finalist in the Currie Cup 1991, 1992 Winner of Super 10 in 1993

World Cup 1995: World Champions, 5 selections (Romania, Canada, Samoa, France, All Blacks).

Business career Since 1994, Kobus and his wife Belinda Wiese have worked in the coffee industry. They began this business by joining a small group of coffee roasters dispersed widely across South Africa.

Kobus, who spotted a gap in the coffee industry, opened up shop in a small space on the East Rand. He then established Wiesenhof Coffee Shop in 1998, however he left the company's "The Roastery" at its core unaltered.

Later career He is also a consultant and TV sports presenter.