Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi was adamant that he would continue giving everything he can on the field to maintain his place in the Springbok squad after seeing very little action for the national team in the three years since he made his Test debut in 2021.
Fassi made his Bok debut against Georgia in 2021, played against Argentina later that year and he earned his third cap against Wales a year later in July 2022.
The fleet-footed Fassi had to wait almost two years for his fourth cap though but since then he has played his way back into the Bok mix this year and he will make his eighth start at fullback in 2024 against Wales on Saturday.
Fassi has been star performer for the Boks season, making his presence felt in the No 15 jersey, where he has been competing with Bok veteran Willie le Roux – who is only two Tests away from joining the exclusive club of Springbok centurions – and given his exciting attack and knack at scoring tries, he is relishing every moment of being part of the squad.
The talented back, who will earn his 11th Test cap on Saturday against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, has had a memorable season with the Boks, winning the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title for the first time since 2019 to add to the Freedom Cup and Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate trophies and is now on the verge of possibly being part of the first Springbok team to win all their Castle Lager Outgoing Tour Test matches since 2013.
“It’s been unbelievable – when you come from a setback, it’s never easy but as a player you have to follow your own processes and not change what you normally do,” said Fassi.
“To have this opportunity to be back in a setup like this is fantastic. It’s what I've always wanted, so it’s important for me to grab the chance with both hands and never lose it again, because I know how it feels like to miss out.”
Fassi said he enjoys playing under the mentorship of the vastly experienced Le Roux: “We have a great relationship. I think there were two games in which I played where Willie was on the side of the field shouting what he saw and letting me know what’s happening from his perspective.
“That’s the nice thing that coach Rassie (Erasmus) always emphasises – everyone has a job to do whether you are in the matchday 23 or not and we all understand the plan to build for the future.”
Fassi added: “To work to work with these coaches and to be in a group like this with experience players and also the younger guys that have been at the World Cup, one learns a lot, so the last few months have been great.”
Fassi said he also loves working with Springbok assistant coaches Tony Brown and Mzwandile Stick and said they had an ability to get the best out of the players on the field within their different focus areas.
“What Tony has brought is to give us the opportunity to attack the space when we see it and to use the opportunities we create,” said Fassi.
“Coach Stick also encourages us to get the balance right in the game in terms of when to kick and attack, so personally I try to focus on reading what's happening at different stages of the game on the field.”
Commenting on the team’s preparations for their final Test of the year on Saturday, Fassi said they were determined to lift their standards after registering a 29-20 victory against England in London last week where they held a narrow 19-17 half-time lead.
“The week has been cold, but good,” said Fassi. “We've just been going through our plans and trying to focus on the opportunities we create.
“Last weekend we didn’t stick to our plans as well as we wanted to but we have a plan for this weekend and it will be important to execute our strategy well.”
The Springboks have the day off on Thursday to rest and switch into match mode for the clash and will wrap up their training at Friday’s captains run. The Test against Wales kicks off at 5.40pm (7.40pm SAST) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Wales starting XV: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Rio Dyer; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Ellis Bevan; 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 James Botham; 5 Christ Tshiunza, 4 Will Rowlands; 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (capt), 1 Gareth Thomas. Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Eddie James, 23 Josh Hathaway.
South Africa starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse; 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Siya Kolisi (capt); 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn; 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Thomas du Toit. Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Handre Pollard.
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