Springboks World Cup winner set for big money move after Premiership exit
South Africa's Jasper Wiese holds his nose after an injury during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Tonga, at Marseille's Stade Velodrome, France Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.
Leicester Tigers have confirmed that Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks number eight Jasper Wiese will depart the Premiership club at the end of the 2023/24 season.
The abrasive back-rower has been a standout for the club since joining ahead of the 2020/21 season from the Cheetahs.
Wiese leaves Leicester
Leicester confirmed the news of Wiese’s impending departure on Thursday, stating that the South African ‘will continue his career overseas’.
“I’ve loved every minute of my time at the club and will continue to give my all for my team and my teammates,” Wiese said in a Leicester Tigers statement confirming his departure.
“This is a special place for me and my family, and we have a lot more memories to create this season.”
A fan favourite at Welford Road, Wiese was a driving force in Leicester’s run to a Premiership title in 2022, producing a man-of-the-match performance in the final against Saracens.
He did arrive at the club as an uncapped international but quickly made his mark and caught the eye of the Bok selectors, earning a Test debut off the bench against Georgia in 2021 and starting the two wins in South Africa’s victorious British and Irish Lions series.
Top 14 switch on the cards
The 27-Test cap international boasts an impressive resume following his time at Leicester and is reportedly set to join Top 14 outfit Stade Francais.
Shortly after the World Cup success in France, reports emerged that Stade Francaise was in ‘advanced talks’ with the South African. The report by Midi Olympique noted that the club paused negotiations to allow Wiese to enjoy the trophy tour in South Africa but may now have seemingly completed them.
While a move to the Parisian club is likely, there is speculation brewing that he could, in fact, be off to Japan.
Leicester Tigers General Manager Richard Wilks says that the club will miss Wiese but added that they are proud of his achievements and understands the reasoning behind his decision.
“We’re immensely proud of Jasper and the player and person he’s become at Leicester Tigers. Jasper joined us as a relatively unknown back-rower from the Cheetahs and will leave us a 27-times-capped Springbok and a Rugby World Cup winner,” Wilks said.
“This is testament to the hard work by Jasper but also the coaches and staff at Tigers who deserve huge credit.
“Jasper is a popular member of our group, and we’ll miss him at the club, but the nature of professional sport and our global game means players grow and seek new opportunities, and he’ll leave us with our best wishes, and he and his family will always be welcome at the club.”
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