Springbok forward Cobus Wiese explains reasons for choosing Bulls over Stormers

By SABC Sport
24th March 2026

Cobus Wiese has lifted the lid on his decision to commit his long-term future to the Bulls, while also setting out the physical standard he expects ahead of a crucial United Rugby Championship clash against Munster at Loftus Versfeld.

The Springbok utility forward, who previously starred for Western Province and the Stormers and later joined the Bulls from Sale Sharks in 2024, has signed a three-year extension in Pretoria despite reported interest from his former Cape Town side.

Wiese said his choice to stay was shaped heavily by his family situation as well as discussions with Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann.

"It would've been an easier decision four years ago with just myself and my fiance to move around, but now I've got a family," Wiese explained.

"I now have a wife, a little girl and had a boy just two months agoÃ¢¦ it's just not yourself you're thinking about.

"We just thought that Pretoria is the best fit for us at this stage.

"My daughter is in a very good school, and we enjoy the people of Pretoria. It's a good set-up we've got going here now.

"Definitely, coach Johan (Ackermann) whispered one or two things in my ear that I took into consideration, but for myself and my family, Pretoria is the best fit for the next three years."

On the field, Wiese is focused on consistency after the Bulls bounced back from defeat to the Stormers with a 40-7 win over Cardiff Rugby.

However, he admitted their second-half performance was below standard despite leading comfortably at the break.

"If you look back at the game, it might seem sluggish, but often it's just about finishing the play when you have momentum," he said.

"It's easy to go out of structure and that's where the discipline of the team and the game drivers have to step in to keep the momentum and the pressure going.

"We could have finished Cardiff off better than we did, but it's something we'll work on - to stick to task and keep doing what's working for us."

Looking ahead to Munster's visit, Wiese expects a fierce response from the Irish side following their heavy defeat to the Sharks.

"Munster are obviously a top Irish team and a well-coached side," he said. "They stay in the fight at Loftus and it's definitely going to be a massive challenge.

"We've spoken all week about the fact that they're going to come out after their loss against the Sharks wanting to prove a point, so we have to prepare for that."

He also pointed to Munster's past success in Pretoria, including their win there in 2024.

"If you want the simple answer, it's being more desperate," Wiese added when asked what the Bulls needed to do.

"But if you look at it a bit deeper, any team coming to Loftus wants to make a statement. It's a tale as old as time - if you dominate the forwards, you're going to win the game and put yourself in a good position.

"So for me personally, and as a pack of forwards, we have to pride ourselves on being physical. That's not to say we're more physical than Munster, because they've got a quality pack.

"But for us now, it's focusing on ourselves and moving forward as a unit."