FILE - Springboks fullback Aphelele Fassi dives over the line to score in the Rugby Championship against Argentina at the Mbombela Stadium. FILE - Springboks fullback Aphelele Fassi dives over the line to score in the Rugby Championship against Argentina at the Mbombela Stadium. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP
Springboks fullback Aphelele Fassi praised flyhalf Manie Libbok’s character and resilience following his performance in their final Rugby Championship match against Argentina on Saturday.
Libbok ran the show in the No 10 jersey following a week of immense criticism after missing the potential match-winning penalty against Los Pumas the previous Saturday.
Libbok set up Fassi for his first try on Saturday, finding the fullback with a lovely flat pass. Fassi also ran a brilliant line to score.
The duo also combined really well on attack, as both players always look to attack the space with their quick feet and speed. Both had Argentina chasing shadows in Mpumalanga.
Libbok ➡️ Fassi = try.#RSAvARG pic.twitter.com/2alErziw3M
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 28, 2024
“Manie is a special player, and I enjoy playing with him,” said Fassi after Saturday’s win.
“He plays a lot like me in the sense that he wants to attack space, so it’s great when we are on the field together.”
Fans have witnessed the second-coming of Fassi in 2024 after going off the radar these last few years and missing out on the Rugby World Cup squad.
But he has now - in the absence of Damian Willemse - put himself in a position where he is regarded as the No 1 fullback in the country with strong performances throughout the Rugby Championship.
He was a shock selection for the Test against the All Blacks, but repaid Rassie Erasmus’ faith with a top outing. He has added that attacking dimension to the Boks’ cause with his hard-running and and lethal finishing, but he has also been great under the high ball.
The only work-on he has to focus on is his link-play, which Willie le Roux has mastered over his career - that ability to make good decisions as a second receiver. But that is really clutching at straws, because Fassi’s ceiling is very high.
Fassi has had to fight his way bank into the fold after making his debut in July 2021 against Georgia and only entering this season with three Test caps.
Is Fassi the breakthrough Bok of #TRC2024?
— RugbyStat + Cat 📊🐈⬛ (@HuwGriffinRugby) September 29, 2024
80 mins
85 metres
19 passes 🤯
9 carries
7 kicks
4 defenders beaten
3/3 tackles
2 clean breaks
2 tries
1 try assist
0 penalties conceded
Has to be first choice for EOYT? #RSAvsARG pic.twitter.com/alW5xE7p68
However, he says the support and honesty from the coaches kept him mentally strong after putting up some good performances for the Sharks to force his way back into the green and gold.
“I wouldn’t say I lost hope,” said the talented fullback. “But it certainly gave me glimpses of reality and the way I had to change my mentality, so all credit to the coaches for ensuring that they got me in a better space.
“The Sharks coaches also ensured that I didn’t doubt myself, and they helped me worked on the areas that I lacked in.”
He added: “I do think my game has improved, but in sport nothing is ever perfect and there’s always room for improvement. Personally, my goal will always be to just go out there and play the best.”
The Springboks will now switch their focus to the their the November tour, when they will face Scotland, England and Wales.
@JohnGoliath82