Rassie Erasmus gives Springboks outcast another shot after two-year exile

rassie erasmus gives springboks outcast another shot after two-year exile

Aphelele-Fassi-Jean-Luc-du-Preez-and-Rassie-Erasmus

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.

His form has not gone unnoticed by head coach Erasmus, who has reportedly invited the outside back to his latest Springboks alignment camp, which was hosted online.

Springboks: Who Rassie Erasmus could turn to with Steven Kitshoff sidelined

The Boks‘ boss planned to have the players gather for the second camp, but his plans hit a snag due to the uncertainty around which South African-based players would be available for the Test against Wales.

South African newspaper the Rapport reports that Fassi was one of the players invited to the virtual camp, which will boost his chances of featuring against Wales in the Test match at Twickenham.

Former Springboks captain backs SHOCK candidate to replace Siya Kolisi

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.

The report adds that fellow Sharks star Phepsi Buthelezi has also received an invite to the second camp as an option at number eight, with Jasper Wiese definitely unavailable, while Evan Roos, Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw could all miss the clash against Wales if the Bulls and Stormers contest the URC final.

Fassi earned his first cap for the Springboks against Georgia in 2021, adding a second against Argentina later that year. His last appearance for the Springboks, however, was against Wales in 2022.

The 26-year-old is a fan favourite at the Sharks and could force his way back into the national squad, where he will compete with the likes of Damian Willemse, Willie Le Roux and potentially Warrick Gelant and Quan Horn.

OTHER NEWS

21 minutes ago

Peter Dutton reveals intent to cut migration and support first-home buyers

21 minutes ago

How relevance deprivation syndrome has liberated me in my retirement

21 minutes ago

'Let Them Be Kids': New youth campaign tackles dangers of social media

21 minutes ago

Video: Candid Aussie reveals surprise job that pays $50 an hour - and only requires one week of training and no degree

23 minutes ago

Boxing-Usyk beats Fury to become undisputed heavyweight champ

23 minutes ago

Simbine registers fastest 100m of season, Lyles superb in 150m

23 minutes ago

Irish business tycoon and rugby record breaker Tony O'Reilly dies at 88

26 minutes ago

Golden girl! Cate Blanchett stuns in a puffy metallic gown as she attends Cannes Film Festival - before getting a four-minute standing ovation for new film Rumours

26 minutes ago

Sam Kerr wins fifth straight WSL title with Chelsea - as Mary Fowler endures public heartbreak

27 minutes ago

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledges to keep bussing migrants to NYC: ‘Mayor Adams needs something to do’

27 minutes ago

Actress Lucy Punch will reunite with Dame Joanna Lumley for Motherland spin-off

27 minutes ago

Shane Lowry ties major-championship scoring record with 62 and makes biggest move on Moving Day at 2024 PGA Championship

27 minutes ago

‘Emilia Pérez' Review: Leading Lady Karla Sofía Gascón Electrifies in Jacques Audiard's Mexican Redemption Musical

27 minutes ago

Six of the best: Manchester City’s mainstays who have gone distance

27 minutes ago

Dublin’s hopes broken by Eoin Cody’s saving grace as Kilkenny get back on track

28 minutes ago

Streep, Gerwig shine on Cannes red carpet

29 minutes ago

Tyson Fury accuses judges of helping Oleksandr Usyk win because Ukraine is ‘at war’

30 minutes ago

Police arrest suspect in 1989 cold case killing of 78-year-old Pennsylvania woman

31 minutes ago

Revered Chicago candy shop makes People magazine's summer travel bucket list

33 minutes ago

Video: Inside Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival for Oleksandr Usyk's historic victory over Tyson Fury... as the football star is welcomed by Saudi Arabia officials before taking his ringside seat

35 minutes ago

'Whether they're from Donegal or Senegal, it makes no difference': A night at the Lighthouse café

35 minutes ago

RA_17MAY24_FLV_WILLIAMS_IS_CLEAR_FAVOURITE_FOR_GOALKEEPER_OF_THE_SEASON_16-9.mp4

35 minutes ago

Hepatitis A case reported at Beverly Hills Whole Foods

36 minutes ago

Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth, Premier League: Preview, team news, how to watch

36 minutes ago

The Look Ahead: May 17, 2024

36 minutes ago

Should Your Engine Be Hot Or Cold When You Check Oil Levels?

37 minutes ago

HISD, Cy Fair ISD and Spring Branch ISD give updates on status of their schools

40 minutes ago

MCoBeauty founder Shelley Sullivan 'abruptly' splits from husband Anthony seven years after lavish wedding

41 minutes ago

Lok Sabha polls: Kharge accuses PM Modi of ‘provoking’ people, calls on ED to take action

41 minutes ago

World-first live remote muster by drone at Beef Australia 2024 a sign of thing to come for cattle industry

41 minutes ago

Depleted Bristol beat Harlequins in thriller as both teams miss semi-finals spots

41 minutes ago

Best beach cover ups: sarongs, kaftans and more

41 minutes ago

Does servicing outside your dealership void your warranty?

42 minutes ago

Rep. Ritchie Torres talks lithium-ion battery safety legislation

42 minutes ago

After five years, three bridges and two floods, a permanent Mersey River crossing is now open

42 minutes ago

Shane Lowry ties major championship record, shoots 9-under 62 at the PGA

42 minutes ago

Donald Trump attends youngest son's graduation

42 minutes ago

Pittsburgh Penguins' Mike Sullivan to coach U.S. Olympic men's hockey team in 2026

44 minutes ago

‘The Balconettes’ Review: A Very Bloody, Somewhat Didactic, Game – Cannes Film Festival

44 minutes ago

Will Quebec’s forest fire season be as bad as it was last year?

Kênh khám phá trải nghiệm của giới trẻ, thế giới du lịch