Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has urged utility back, Aphelele Fassi to seize his opportunity, and show people what he can do when the Boks take on arch-rivals, New Zealand in round three of this year’s Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday (17:00). 

Erasmus, who announced his squad on Tuesday, made a total of nine changes to the team that defeated Australia 30-12 in Perth earlier this month. Amid the lock crisis, and injury concerns to centurion Eben Etzebeth who has been cleared and will start from the bench, one of the surprising selections was that of Aphelele Fassi at fullback over veteran Willie Le Roux. 

Fassi, who has rejuvenated his Springbok career this year after stellar performances during the URC season, and Challenge Cup’s triumph, got the nod over Le Roux for a second straight match after he featured for the Boks down under. 

 In that clash, the Sharks man had a fairly decent outing under tough, and wet conditions. He managed to win some crucial battles in the air, controlled the game well, and scored a five pointer in his first start for the Boks this year. 

Erasmus believes his time to “shine” is now and backs him against New Zealand. “We are all waiting for him to do it now, that’s been the word the whole week,” Erasmus said. 

 “We’ve urged him to do it now, it’s now him, and he’s got to show the people why he’s here, they haven’t seen the things he can do.” 

 “Unfortunately, with everything, there’s the hard grafting involved in the game before you get to do the beautiful things. He needs to get his technique under the high ball right, understand the wings, and working with Willie has helped a lot.

 “I think it’s his time to shine – it’s not easy to shine against New Zealand but that’s certainly where you get to know whether you’re ready or not.” 

 When Le Roux is concerned, Erasmus said the Bulls man has taken up a different role in the team, that of helping the younger players coming into the fold. He last started a test for the Boks in round one in Brisbane and hasn’t been included in the bench for this weekend’s clash due to a 6-2 split, with backline spot occupied by Handre Pollard, and Grant Williams. 

 Despite his omission, Erasmus maintained that he still forms a big part of the team. “Willie is somebody I coached way back at the Stormers,” he said. 

 “He is at the time in his career where he accepts what his role is in the team, and he helps the guys understand how big the test match is. 

“Him, and Aphelele are close and if Gaza comes in, he will work closely with him. We want to get to him to a 100 games, he’s at 94 now – I think he can play another three years, but I don’t think he’ll make another World Cup.

“We’ve thrown him in to help youngsters and when he plays to help us win.” 

The back-to-back World Cup champions will be looking to keep their positive record against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in check. In the past 15 tests at the stadium, the Boks have claimed nine wins, while the visitors have won six times. 

Springbok team to face New Zealand in Johannesburg: 

Backline: Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach. 

Forwards: Jasper Wiese, Ben-Jason Dixon, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Nortje, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. 

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch Eben Etzebeth, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard.