Exeter's Dweba harbours hopes of South Africa recall

Exeter hooker Joseph Dweba hopes he can force his way back into the South Africa squad.

The 30-year-old moved to the Chiefs last summer from Cape Town-based Stormers and has won six caps for his country.

He last featured for the Springboks against Argentina in August 2023 and was part of the South Africa squad that faced the British and Irish Lions in 2021, although he did not play against the tourists.

"It's definitely still a desire for me to play for them," said Dweba.

He has played 18 times in all competitions for Exeter this season, helping the Chiefs reach the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup and occupy a play-off place in the Prem.

"As a player you just need to perform," he added. "So the moment you perform on the field you're definitely going to get your shot.

"I'm basically just focusing on just performing for my club and if our club does well then the rest will take care of itself."

Dweba has vast experience, having played in Super Rugby for Cheetahs, the United Rugby Championship for Stormers and the French Top 14 with Bordeaux.

He says when he got the chance to work with Exeter boss Rob Baxter it was one he could not turn down.

He feels he has "grown as a player" while at Sandy Park, having become one of the experienced heads in the squad.

"As a young player you're always looking at leaders that are older than you that have been in the system for such a long time," he said.

"Now that role is reversed, now you are the bit of the old one, the guy with experience and stuff like that.

"It's just how you channel your experience and how you actually speak to younger players. How can you help them help you?

Coming here he's [Rob Baxter] actually helped me with that situation, saying, 'listen, you are older, yes, you've got experience, but how can you take that experience, give it to a youngster to help him that it's going to help you in the field,'.

"So that has helped me off the field and on the field."