Jan-Hendrik Vessels demonstrated his significant value to the Springboks team by coming on as a substitute to strengthen the scrum during the dominant 43-0 victory over Wales at Kings Park stadium.
Player Versatility
Vessels emphasized that combining the demanding roles of left prop and hooker in the Springboks does not create additional pressure. He expressed gratitude to the national coaches for ensuring his full readiness regardless of where he is needed.
This versatile 24-year-old athlete once again showed his usefulness in the Rugby World Cup match, which ended with a 43-0 win against Wales on Saturday evening at Kings Park, reinforcing the already dominant Springboks line.
Preparation and Planning
Thanks to the impressive depth of the South African front row, Vessels has become a valuable versatile option capable of covering two specialized positions. He noted that this role was significantly eased by the meticulous preparation of the coaching staff. He also mentioned technical analyst Joe Lewis, defensive coach Jerry Flannery, forward coach Dion David, and scrum coach Dan Human.
After the match, Vessels stated: 'I think from a training perspective they prepare me very well. Regarding the scrum and lineouts, Joe helps me, Jerry helps me, coach Dan Human, and coach Dion David. They don't throw me into deep water.'
He added that during the week he trained in the role of left prop, as he played this position in most of his games for the Bulls. His participation in the season varies depending on the opponent and game situation, but Vessels is confident that there is always a clear plan before the game.
Application in Matches
Vessels recounted that in the game against England, he did not play as a hooker but came on as a left prop. In the match against Scotland, he initially played prop, possibly to calm down and get used to the pace of the game, and then switched to the hooker position. He shared the pleasure of this process, noting that the entire management and coaching staff create comfortable conditions throughout the week so that he is ready for Saturday.
Vessels joked about the fierce competition in the Springboks front row, hinting that he often teases the left props, warning them that if they slow down, they will have to switch to the hooker position. However, behind this humor lies appreciation for the excellent squad depth.
He believes that having backups always helps, as there is someone available to replace him in the hooker position if necessary. Currently, there are many players capable of playing multiple positions.
Contribution to Play and Rookie Assessment
The Springboks scrum once again laid the foundation against Wales when the starting front row, consisting of Gerhard Steenkamp, Malcolm Marx, and Carl Seydi, earned early penalties, and substitutions continued to apply pressure. For Vessels, meeting the standards set by the starters became a source of motivation.
He emphasized: 'We are always proud of our scrums. The biggest part of our game is putting pressure on the opponent and giving our backfillers good ball.' He added that the starting front row sets an excellent standard for those who come on as substitutes, motivating them not to let the team down after seeing the achievements of the starters. This generates even more excitement when the opportunity to play appears.
The Bulls forward also highly praised the debuting wing player Wusi Moyo for his maturity in this situation. Vessels noted that the young player benefited from having experienced midfielders Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel alongside him. He expressed joy for the young player, noting that he controlled the game well thanks to the experience of his partners, and wished him further development after his first match for the Springboks.
