Rassie talks up Bok 'township tackler'
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Rassie Erasmus expects Aphelele Fassi to stand strong as the last line of the Springbok defence at Twickenham on Saturday, which will be key to the longevity of his Test career.
Erasmus has given the nine-cap Fassi the nod in the Bok 15 jumper against England, a decision aimed at building his all-round skills in a high-stakes environment.
Speaking in the buildup to this week's clash, Erasmus emphasised the need for the 26-year-old Fassi to face a "big league" opponent like the English to test his mettle.
"Fassi hasn't had that taai klap [hard hit] in a major Test where he realises, 'Hey, now I'm in the big league,'" the Bok boss told the media on Thursday.
“He’s become very determined and tough, but not at the expense of his superb skills. He can still glide [through gaps in defence], but he’s very physical.”
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“Fassi is also excellent under the high ball and defends very well," Erasmus added. "We call him the ‘township tackler’ because of how seriously he takes being the last line of defence. He will definitely be tested in that area.”
Erasmus also highlighted that Fassi's selection over veteran fullback Willie le Roux, just two appearances short of becoming the seventh Bok centurion, is part of a long-term plan.
"We try to expose players to high-pressure situations at the right time," he said. “Sometimes, you need to find the moment that sets up a longer career.
"We try to make milestones special without putting pressure on the team. Willie knows his role in helping Fassi develop, and it's possible he could reach his 100th Test in South Africa, which could make it even more memorable.
"If Willie stays fit and performs in the Vodacom URC [for the Vodacom Bulls] next season, we'd love to see him reach that century on home soil."
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
The post Rassie talks up Bok 'township tackler' appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
