Aphelele Fassi’s Time? Springbok Starlet Stakes His Claim for No.15 Jersey

As veteran fullback Willie le Roux edges toward the twilight of his illustrious career, the race to fill the Springbok No.15 jersey is heating up and Aphelele Fassi is firmly in the conversation.

With 11 Test caps to his name, Fassi has long been earmarked as one for the future. Yet, the competition remains fierce. Damian Willemse continues to impress with his versatility and composure under pressure, while other back-three contenders like Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse add depth and flair to the Boks’ backline options.

Fassi, who is equally at home on the wing, showed his versatility this season for the Sharks. In a standout performance against the Scarlets, he stepped up to take on kicking duties, a move prompted by team injuries and minor niggles — and executed with calm confidence.

Committed to the Cause

Despite the external noise around selection, Fassi remains grounded and focused on contributing to the team environment.

"The role I want to play for the Boks this year is to be supportive in a positive manner," Fassi said. 

"Even if I am playing or not, for me I just want to be here and enjoy the occasions. Getting the opportunity to train with Willie, Gaza [Willemse], and Handré [Pollard], I just want to assist where I can so the Springboks can succeed," he told SportsBoom.co.za. 

His attitude underscores a growing maturity and hunger to evolve as a player and teammate traits valued in the Springbok setup.

Barbarians Challenge Awaits

The Springboks open their 2025 campaign with a high-profile clash against the Barbarians this weekend, a fixture known for its festive atmosphere and flair-filled rugby.

The Barbarians, coached by Robbie Deans, have assembled a star-studded lineup, and the match promises to be a thrilling spectacle of contrasting styles. While the Boks will look to impose structure and physicality, the Baa-Baas will bring their trademark unpredictability and open play.

Fassi has been named to start at fullback, a clear vote of confidence from the Springbok coaching staff.

"The Barbarians are a team that likes to play expansive rugby and are very unpredictable," Fassi said ahead of the fixture. "Our training in the past couple of weeks has been geared exactly for that. Preparing for the unexpected."

"We obviously want to play to our structure and focus on us. We don’t want to dwell too much on what they’re doing. We just want to focus on what we need to do and the way we want to play."

The Bigger Picture

For Fassi, Saturday’s clash is more than just a game, it’s a vital opportunity to showcase his readiness for the Springboks’ fullback role in a competitive international season.

Whether he nails down the No.15 jersey remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Aphelele Fassi is not just part of the conversation, he’s ready to stake his claim.