Rassie Erasmus says Saturday’s clash with the All Blacks is Aphelele Fassi’s time to shine, after backing the fullback to start ahead of veteran Willie le Roux.
Fassi has retained his place at fullback after helping the Springboks claim a bonus-point victory over the Wallabies in Perth two weeks ago.
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Earning his seventh Test cap, the 26-year-old will face the All Blacks for the first time at Ellis Park, in a massive show of faith from Erasmus.
Fassi made his debut in the opening Test of the year against Georgia in 2021, scoring in his first two appearances in the green and gold. However, he earned just one more Test cap in that cycle under Jacques Nienaber, but has been recalled this year.
“We are all waiting for Aphelele to do it now,” Erasmus said. “That’s what we’ve told him the whole of last week, ‘do it now, it’s on you! Go and show the people what you can do and why you’re here’.
“Unfortunately with everything, there’s first the real hard graft in a game, before you get to do the beautiful things. So he’s needed to get his technique under the high ball right, not lifting that leg, he’s got that out of his system. Understanding the wings, organising, he’s getting the ropes with that.
“Now I think it’s his time to shine. It’s not easy to shine against New Zealand. But that certainly where you know, ‘am I ready yet or not?’.”
Perhaps even more surprising is that Le Roux, the old warhorse of the Bok backline, will play no part in Saturday’s Test.
The two-time World Cup winner has been the go-to fullback in Damian Willemse’s injury-enforced absence, but being left out of the matchday-23 entirely is a sign that a succession plan is now being implemented.
“Willie is somebody who I’ve coached since my Stormers days,” Erasmus said. “He’s at a time in his career where he accepts what his role is in the team.
“He helps the guys to understand how big the Test match is, how we are going to handle this, how you are going to read that flyhalf and when do you have to cover what space. He and Aphelele are close.
“We want to get him to his 100th game. He’s at 96 now. I think he will play another two years. I don’t think he will make another World Cup. If he does, it will be like Stephan Donald. His role in the team now is to help youngsters and when he plays to help us win.”
Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images
The post Rassie: ‘Vat hom’ Fassi! appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
