Rassie Erasmus is an enigma for the opposition and mostly the media as well.
However, his players understand him and even those that don’t, explicitly trust him.
Erasmus’ latest squad announcement – for the year-end tour – again produced several talking points, eliciting the usual debates.
One of those ‘debate points’ is fullback.
The return from injury of utility back Damian Willemse, the resurgent form of Aphelele Fassi and the experience of Willie le Roux means the Springbok coach is spoilt for choice.
Le Roux, on 97 Tests, looks set to get some game time in all three year-end Tests – Scotland, England and Wales.
Willemse, 39 Tests, started at fullback in the four most crucial World Cup Tests – pool match against Ireland, quarterfinal against France, semifinal against England and Final against New Zealand.
That appears to leave Fassi as the fringe selection, even though he started in six of the 10 Tests at fullback – Wales, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina twice.
Fassi, like Willemse a 26-year-old has a long future in Green and Gold, but is happy to take a backseat.
“It’s simple for me,” he said about the internal Bok competition.
“Everyone has trust in Rassie’s plan.
“For us as players, it’s all about being able to trust that and to do what you’re required to do in terms of your job.
“If I play or Damian plays or Willie plays, Damian and I will have a different job – which is to prepare Willie for the Test he is going to play.
“That is the same with whoever plays.
“We are a unit that wants to work together.
“We don’t play for ourselves, we play for South Africa and the pride of the Springbok.
“Healthy competition is a good thing, because it brings the best out of the individual.
“For us all, it is about trusting Rassie’s plan.”
(WATCH as Sharks and Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi speaks about the competition for places in the national team on the year-end tour…)
Fassi, speaking ahead of the United Rugby Championship Round Six face-off against Munster on Saturday, admitted the ‘terminology’ between the Sharks and Bok camps are different.
That also leads to different styles of play.
However, that’s another aspect he takes in his stride.
“The most basic aspect of the game is to dominate your set pieces,” he told @rugby365com.
With that comes the dominance in the territorial game and taking your opportunities.
@king365ed
@rugby365com
* Picture credit: @Springboks
