VIDEO: From school benches to Bok debuts together

VIDEO: It is not often that friends get to share their debut for the Springboks together, but on Saturday two friends from Bloemfontein will do just that when South Africa hosts Portugal in a one-off Test.

Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Andre-Hugo Venter matriculated at Grey College in Bloemfontein together and both will make their Springbok debuts against Os Lobos, Venter from the bench.

Wessels will start at prop in an exciting front row with Thomas du Toit and Johan Grobbelaar and is one of seven uncapped players named in Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ matchday squad.

Making his Test debut with his long-time friend and fellow front row powerhouse is a special prospect for Wessels.

"We started playing together 10 years ago at school level," he said.

"We played in the Under-13 and U18 Craven Weeks, as well as the U16 Grant Khomo Week before moving on to the Junior Springboks, so it will also be memorable to make our debuts together."

The 23-year-old Wessels described his selection as a "dream come true", and says the fact that he will be making his debut in front of the friends and family in Bloemfontein makes it even more special.

"I’ve aspired to be a Springbok since I was a young boy, so this is a massive opportunity and a dream come true," the Bulls man said.

"It’s special to make one’s Springbok debut no matter where you play, but it doesn’t get any better than being able to do so in Bloemfontein in front of my family.

"When I was growing up, we were all glued to the television when the Boks played, and the team has always inspired me."

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Born in Bloemfontein and schooled at Grey College, he was a superstar in age-group rugby.

His versatility is one of the features that make him attractive to Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.

The 23-year-old featured at lock, loose forward, and in the front-row at school while his coach at the Bulls, Jake White, is grooming him into a hooker.

"He is somebody that we are really excited about. Come a World Cup, you might not take five props, you can take four hookers because a guy like him can swing both sides," said Erasmus.

"We are going to play him at prop this weekend where he is comfortable. He came through our EPD [Early Player Development] systems."

Wessels talks about his different positions as if it is natural for players to do so.

"I think at school it’s not that difficult to move around. I played prop a bit after school, played hooker, and then prop again," said Wessels.

"It’s just about working hard because obviously there are two jobs to focus on. On the weekend I’m playing prop and hopefully, it goes well.

"Playing with and scrummaging against players like Du Toit, Frans Malherbe, Vincent Koch at training and the other front rowers is a fantastic experience, and what makes this environment so special is that everyone wants one another to do well."

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