As the Springboks gear up for their Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies in Johannesburg, full-back Aphelele Fassi is not just bracing for a high-intensity match; he’s also stepping into his new role as a goal-kicker, a challenge he’s accepted with open arms. Under the guidance of head coach Rassie Erasmus, Fassi is ready to tackle this added responsibility, enhancing his contribution to the team.
Fassi, who has notched seven tries in 12 tests, including a standout performance against the Wallabies last year, is confident about his new role. “I’ve been practicing my kicking a lot, even before I joined the Boks this season, and I’m confident with the way things are going,” Fassi stated.
"So, when coach Rassie told me that I’ll also be a kicking option, it was a matter of putting my head down and continuing to put in the work."
The speculation around the Wallabies’ selection of James O’Connor at fly-half does little to sway the Boks’ strategy. Fassi emphasized that the Springboks are concentrated on their gameplay, regardless of the opposition's lineup. “It won’t change the way we want to play if they select him because we know what we want to do on the field,” he commented on the potential selection. “He’s a good player with a good skillset, and he has played against us before, so for us, it is all about doing things the Springbok way.”
The physicality of the game is a given, something both Fassi and loosehead prop Ox Nche are prepared for. Nche highlighted the Wallabies’ recent upswing in performance and synergy, particularly in their last games against the British and Irish Lions, setting the stage for a robust challenge this weekend. “Their set-pieces have also improved, and they have a solid pack, so we are expecting them to challenge us in the scrums and lineouts,” Nche explained, predicting a spirited contest.
As the defending champions, the Boks are ready for the pressures of the Rugby Championship. Nche added, “We are a year older as some say, but so are the other teams, and they have gained that experience as well. But in terms of trying to defend our title, we are certainly going to do everything we can to achieve that.” With teams like Argentina and Australia showing formidable form, the tournament promises stiff competition, but the Boks are all set to rise to the occasion.