Aphelele Fassi gives Springbok veteran Willie le Roux credit
‘I spoke to Willie after the game and I told him that I probably touched the ball like four times,’ Aphelele Fassi on the England game.
Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi has given praise to Boks veteran Willie le Roux for helping develop his game.
The 26-year-old has been in and out of the team since making his debut in 2021. For three years, Fassie has seen very little action for the national team and even missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The Hollywoodbet Sharks star made his Bok debut against Georgia in 2021, played against Argentina later that year and earned his third cap in July 2022.
Speaking ahead of the Springboks’ final match of the year against Wales, Aphelele Fassi has explained the importance of having Willie on the touchline.
“There were two games, one against the All Blacks in Johannesburg and the other in Mbombela [against Argentina], and he [Le Roux] was on the side of the field shouting and commanding what he sees and letting me know what’s happening on the field,” he told the media.
“That is one thing coach Rassie [Erasmus] always puts on us. Everyone has a job to do,” Fassi added.
Aphelele Fassi finding his feet in the Boks shirt
“I think my relationship with Willie is good and we understand the plans that the Springboks are trying to build in the future.”
Fassi played in last weekend’s 29-20 win over England at Twickenham Stadium
“I spoke to Willie after the game and I told him that I probably touched the ball like four times,” said Apelele Fassi.
“He told me, ‘That is Test match rugby for you’.
“The challenge was good, but we didn’t execute the way we wanted to.
“We looked at that during this week and we have a plan going into this [Wales] game on how we want to play.”
Aphelele Fassi is only 26 and still has time to sharpen his skills and this tour will definitely help him grow. The Boks play Wales this Saturday in their final UK Tour match.
When will Willie le Roux reach his 100 caps?
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