Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made his expectations of Aphelele Fassi very clear ahead of this Saturday’s Test against the All Blacks.
Among several bold selections made by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus for this Saturday’s Test, the one that caught many by surprise was the decision to back Aphelele Fassi at fullback.
Fassi has certainly been in outstanding form this year, but he has only started three Tests at fullback in his career, and there was a general expectation that Willie le Roux’s vast experience would put him in line for the No 15 jersey.
However, Erasmus remains steadfast in his bold selections, and has issued a clear directive to Fassi.
“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?’.”
APHELELE FASSI FREE TO FLY AS WILLIE’S ROLE CHANGES
Meanwhile, the Springbok coach highlighted that Le Roux’s primary role over the next couple of years will be in a mentorship capacity.
“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.”
HOW THE TEAM WILL LINE UP ON SATURDAY
Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handre Pollard.
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Springboks philosophical on injury woes
Rassie Erasmus is happy with the Springboks makeshift second-row selections with Pieter-Steph du Toit rolling back the years to start at lock.
Rassie Erasmus says that there is no point dwelling on the injury woes that have befallen the Springboks.
The knocks have hit the second row particularly hard but Erasmus feels this will provide an opportunity.
SPRINGBOKS ON INJURY WOES
Erasmus has backed Ruan Nortje and Pieter-Steph Du Toit to start at lock in the third Rugby Championship encounter.
Welcoming back Jasper Wiese after his suspension delighted Erasmus.
“It’s not ideal that we have so many injuries at lock, but we are pleased with the way Ruan stood his man in our last match and we are confident that he’ll combine well with Pieter-Steph at lock,” said Erasmus.
“This will serve as a fantastic opportunity for him to prove what he can do against one of the best teams in the world.
“It’s also good to have a player of Jasper’s calibre back and we know that he’ll bring a lot of energy on attack and defence after biding his time to return to the field, and we are looking forward to seeing his physicality combined with the rest of the back row.”
SETTLED BACKLINE IS A BOON FOR SPRINGBOKS
Erasmus believes that the settled backline will also be a boost to the Springboks as they return to home soil.
“We also have a settled backline, and Aphelele made a strong statement against the Wallabies in Perth, so we are excited to see what they have to offer against a heavily attack-orientated All Black backline,” he added.
“We’ve seen what most of these players can do under pressure in Australia, and we’re confident that they’ll want to build on that against the All Blacks.”
EBEN ETZEBETH
Erasmus revealed that Eben Etzebeth might have been able to play in this round but he felt that they shouldn’t risk a longer layoff.
“Eben may have been ready to play this week if we really needed him, but we feel we will benefit more from selecting a player that is 100% fit, and Salmaan should also be back in selection frame next week after following the return to play protocols,” he went on.
“We’re happy that things will ease significantly for us in that department going into the second Test.”
ALL BLACKS TO COME OUT SWINGING
Erasmus expects the All Blacks to throw everything at his team.
“There is also no doubt they’ll still be hurting from the Rugby World Cup final, and in addition to that they know how important a win will be to square things up and open up the Castle Lager Rugby Championship log,” Erasmus continued.
“They’re a quality team with several players who have an X-factor and they constantly pose a threat to our defence, so we have to start well and be on the top of our game in all departments to try to build on what we have done in the competition so far.
“We’re under no illusions that this will be a completely different challenge to that which Australia posed, and that the next two Tests will require a proper step-up from us, but we are excited to see if we can take our game to the next level and give ourselves the best possible chance to stake a claim for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019.
“So, we’ll give our best and hopefully that will place us on the correct side of the scoreboard.”
