Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus looks set to be giving out second chances, with Sharks star Aphelele Fassi being one of the benefactors.
The fullback has been in superb form for the Sharks despite the side’s poor results in the United Rugby Championship.
Fassi primed for Springboks return
He has made more clean breaks (18) and metres (967) than any other player in the URC, while he also has nine try involvements, scoring four and assisting five in the tournament.
Fassi has also been instrumental in helping the Sharks reach the Challenge Cup semi-finals, playing in all six matches.
Head coach Erasmus apparently took note of his form and asked the outside back to his most recent online-hosted Springboks alignment camp.
With Steven Kitshoff out, Rassie Erasmus could turn to the Springboks.
The head coach of the Boks had intended for the players to come together for the second camp, but his preparations were derailed by the lack of clarity regarding the availability of South African-based players for the Wales Test.
Fassi was one of the players invited to the virtual camp, according to the South African publication the Rapport, which will increase his chances of playing against Wales in the Test match at Twickenham.
Fringe players getting a shot
With the URC final taking place on the same day, the Sharks players will be available to the Springboks along with at least one other locally based side as Erasmus picks from a smaller pool of players as the stars in the Top 14 and Premiership will not be available.
According to the report, Jasper Wiese is undoubtedly unavailable, so fellow Sharks star Phepsi Buthelezi has also been invited to the second camp as a backup at number eight. Elrigh Louw, Evan Roos, and Cameron Hanekom may also miss the match against Wales if the Bulls and Stormers compete in the URC final.
In 2021, Fassi was awarded his first cap for the Springboks in a match against Georgia. Later that year, he was awarded another cap against Argentina. But in 2022, he made his final appearance for the Springboks against Wales.
The 26-year-old, a fan favorite at the Sharks, has the ability to push his way back into the national team, where he will face players like Quan Horn and Warrick Gelant in addition to Damian Willemse and Willie Le Roux.
