Bulls star Cobus Wiese: One thing I can work on myself is building an engine like Pieter-Steph du Toit

He will hope to soon join his brother in the Springbok camp, but the man Cobus Wiese hopes to emulate is star flank Pieter-Steph du Toit.

The Bulls utility forward has been invited to next week’s Bok alignment camp in Cape Town, and although he won’t be rubbing shoulders with Du Toit as the latter will attend the virtual camp for overseas-based players, Wiese is keen to pick up the “small things” from the two-time World Cup winner.

The Bulls powerhouse is a similar player in some respects to Du Toit, with his high work-rate and ability to play in the loose trio and at lock.

He returned from Sale Sharks to South Africa this season to play for the Bulls, having previously featured for the Stormers.

“I had the privilege of playing with Pieter-Steph, back in 2017, 2018. You can learn so much from that guy, and to be quite honest, if there’s a rugby player – position-specifically of course – who doesn’t want to learn from Pieter-Steph, then they need to go back and see what’s wrong with them,” Wiese said this week ahead of Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash between the Bulls and Stormers at Loftus Versfeld (5pm start).

“He’s world-class, and I definitely want to learn the smaller things from him. One thing I can work on myself is building an engine like Pieter-Steph.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get there, but that guy just doesn’t stop – he just keeps on going, just keeps on getting up.

“So, I think that’s a big mentality thing. I would love to learn from him. As I said, I don’t think I will be able to fill his shoes one day. But it will be a privilege to be the guy after him.”

Wiese is thrilled to receive the call-up to the Bok camp, and will hope to be part of the playing squad alongside his brother, powerful No 8 Jasper Wiese.

“It’s not only my dream, but any South African rugby boy all want to play for the Springboks. I’m really privileged and grateful to be selected for the alignment camp – very excited to be invited,” he said.

“But I also know that it’s only a foot in the door, so by no means am I in the team yet.

“For me, it’s just focusing on doing the basics well, playing consistently well and working hard.

“At the Boks and Bulls as well, we’ve got this thing where if we do the things well that don’t require talent, then the talent will separate you from other guys.”