Aphelele Fassi’s inclusion at fullback for the Springboks’ Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks feels like a changing of the guard.
It was a bold selection, with many pundits thinking that coach Rassie Erasmus will go with the experienced Willie le Roux or even Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who had deputised in that position throughout the season.
But Le Roux isn’t even in the matchday 23, while Feinberg-Mngomezulu will start the Test at flyhalf ahead of the Springboks Rugby World Cup hero Handre Pollard, who finds himself on the bench.
At 35 years old, the 96-cap veteran Le Roux is coming towards the twilight of his career, despite playing some good rugby for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship this past season.
But Erasmus says Le Roux’s role has changed within the Springboks’ set-up, going from automatic starter or member of the ‘bomb squad’ to mentoring the new generation of stars.
The Springboks still want to get him to that magical 100th cap over the next couple of years, but don’t see him as a guy who will feature at the next Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.
“Willie is someone I have coached a long time, from the Stormers days,” said Erasmus.
“He is at a time in his career where he has a different role in the team. He transfers his knowledge, helping the guys to understand how big a Test match is, how are we going to handle it.
“We want to get him to his 100th game. He will play for another two years, although I don’t think he will make another World Cup.
“If he makes another World Cup, it will be like a Stephen Donald [the All Blacks flyhalf who left his fishing trip in 2011 to come back into the squad after an injury crisis]. But his role in the team is to help youngsters, and when he plays, to help us win.”
Fassi burst on the scene with the Sharks before making his debut for the Springboks against Georgia in 2021, scoring in his first two appearances in the green and gold.
However, he earned just one more Test cap under former coach Jacques Nienaber before falling off the radar ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
However, impressive performances in the URC and Challenge Cup this past season saw him get back in the Springboks’ fold and started in the first Test of the year. against Wales.
After missing the two Tests against Ireland, Fassi starred in the win over Portugal and made the most of his start in the second Test against the Wallabies in Perth, where he scored a wonderful try after a slick counter attack.
It will be the first time that ‘the Weekend Special’ - a nickname Fassi earned because his surname is similar to South Africa’s music legend Brenda Fassie - faces the All Blacks.
But the Boks know he has the game, and Erasmus has now given him the platform to show the world.
“We are all waiting for Aphelele do it now ... That’s been the message this whole week ... ‘go and show the people what you can do and why are you here’,” said Erasmus.
“Unfortunately, with everything, there is a lot of hard grafting in a game before you can do the beautiful things. Him getting his technique under the high-ball right, not lifting that leg [in a dangerous position].
“Organising the wings ... he has been working very hard with Willie on that, the small little details.
“Now is his time to shine. It’s not easy to shine against New Zealand, but that is where you know ‘if I’m ready or not’. Hopefully he flies.”
Hopefully, for Erasmus, Fassi can be special for the Springboks this weekend.
@JohnGoliath82