According to Mallett in the 'Talking Boks' podcast, Wessels is a prime candidate to step into Marx's shoes, featuring his size and speed as key attributes.
"He’s the guy, for me, who is the closest to Marx. A big, strong guy and must be close to 120 kilos. He's very fast, he throws in well," Mallett said.
Mallett also noted Wessels's potential to improve his game further, particularly his stealing skills which are pivotal in tight matches.
"I feel that he’s a guy who, if they really spent time with, he could sort of emulate a bit of what Marx does. He's very fast and he could learn to be a very good stealer," he explained.
Mallett further mentioned other players like Johan Grobbelaar, Deon, and André-Hugo Venter, stressing that Wessels, if focused on honing his skills as a hooker, would be an invaluable addition to the Bomb Squad to help dominate the final phases of the game.
The return of players Handré Pollard and Franco Mostert from injuries is anticipated for the upcoming games in Australia. Additionally, new opportunities appear ripe for Aphelele Fassi, Paul de Villiers, and Ntuthuko Mchunu, as they are expected to get more playtime while the first-choice Boks get some rest.
Mallett predicts a significant rotation in the team lineup for the match in Perth, hinting at a possible nine or ten changes to give some main players a needed break after the grueling series.
The strategy resembles the approach taken against Argentina, where back-up players were given a chance to shine. Mallett expressed optimism about the depth in the squad, highlighting the emergence of talent that can step up in critical games.
Mallett also shared his concerns about player fatigue from the ongoing series, hinting at the necessity for fresh legs for the Australian leg of the tour, which might push the players to their limits.
As the Boks prepare for this pivotal match, all eyes will be on how Rassie Erasmus tailors his squad to continue their robust performance while integrating emerging talents like Wessels into the fray.
