20 Questions: Marco Wentzel – London Wasps Lock

Does it feel like a fresh start at Wasps?
Definitely. It’s good to have lot of new faces, guys who want to be here, and not to have 20 blokes injured. We’ve got a full squad and everyone’s training, which is quite novel!
How’s the strength and conditioning guy doing?
Dan Howells is really good and all the boys are enjoying it. Dan’s been going into the technical side of our preparation on an individual basis, too, which has been very good.
Dai Young, your DoR, must be a happier man?
He is. Last year Dai only came in towards the end of pre-season and we had a horrendous year. No one knew how the sale of the club was going either, but Dai’s been able to put his own stamp on the squad now and it’s all positive.
Tell us something about Dai we might not know?
He has an amazing sense of humour! He’s very dry but extremely good with people, a real people person. Even with all we went through last season, his man-management was really good.
Been anywhere nice on holiday?
Just home to Cape Town. It was winter there but the weather was still good. Anywhere with sun and a beach is good for me.
Best moment in rugby?
Being capped twice by South Africa in 2002. And playing my first provincial game for South Western District Eagles in 1998 was pretty special, too.
Favourite food and drink?
Rare fillet steak, washed down with a vodka and lime soda.
Best player you’ve played against?
Jonah Lomu in Super 12. He was light years ahead of anyone else and, as a young back-row then, you didn’t want him running down your channel because he was devastating.
How do you chill out?
I used to play golf but now I just hang around with friends. Rugby – and English rugby in particular – has got so intense you need to look after your body.
Wasps’ best and worst trainer?
Tim Payne … on both counts! It depends which Tim Payne turns up on the training pitch because he can be a grumpy old sod!
Best/most annoying banter?
There’s a few. Richard Birkett’s got some good banter and it tends to be the older boys who’ve been around who are best. But Billy Vunipola‘s laugh does my head in!
Best and worst dressed?
Chris Mayor’s the worst; he’s a northerner and has no idea. The best would have to be Tom Varndell, who’s very smooth.
Varndell’s been starring on ESPN… destined for a career in punditry?
I’d say so. Whenever there’s a camera around it’s straight off with the shirt. He’s good at the TV stuff and his future already looks mapped out.
Got any superstitions?
I’ve worn the same pair of underpants on match days for the last 15 years.
Hope you wash them!
They get washed every week and put straight in my kit bag for the following game. They’re pretty tatty and stitched up now but I wouldn’t be without them.
Tightest Wasps player?
My housemate, Tinus du Plessis. Very short arms… typical Namibian!
Person outside rugby you most admire?
‘Bladerunner’ Oscar Pistorius. To go through what he has, remain positive and do what he’s done in the Olympics is amazing. We deal with injuries but that’s on a different level.
Team-mate you’ve been slightly afraid of?
Seru Rabeni at Leicester and Leeds. He sometimes had a look in his eye in training that suggested it was time to clear the decks!
Ever regret leaving Leicester?
You think about places you’ve left – South Africa, the Bulls and Leicester – and wonder what might have been. But I’m honoured to still be playing top class rugby with Wasps.
Ambitions for this season?
I had two tough years at Leeds and didn’t expect another relegation battle, so we’ll just look to set a better platform in the league.