Springbok captain Jesse Kriel and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick have backed Aphelele Fassi to step up at fullback in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Cape Town. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.

The Boks were forced into a late change on Friday when veteran Willie le Roux withdrew due to a groin niggle, handing Fassi his second successive start.

It came after coach Rassie Erasmus had initially made 10 changes to the starting XV following last week’s 38-22 defeat to Australia at Ellis Park, which saw the Boks blow a 22-0 lead and drop from No 1 to No 3 in the world rankings.

“It’s unfortunate that Willie picked up a niggle this week in training,” Kriel said on Friday. “But he’s been working so closely with Fassi, and we all know how talented Fassi is, so I’m confident he’ll do a great job.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing for Willie, I know how much he wanted to play in Cape Town with his family here. But I have no doubt Fassi will step up, like he has over the last few years.”

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Stick said the late switch had not disrupted the Boks’ preparation.

“It’s a big loss – Willie is a very experienced player and it would have been nice to see him on the field – but Fassi has what it takes to do the job for us.

“He played last week, so there’s continuity, and he knows exactly how we want to operate. With experienced players around him like Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse, Canan Moodie, and Handré Pollard at 10, that will help.”

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The assistant coach revealed that it had been Le Roux’s decision to pull out.

“I must give credit to Willie for being honest with us. He didn’t feel 100% comfortable to go full out for 80 minutes, and with a 6-2 bench split it would have been a big risk.

“That shows the character of who he is and how much he respects the team. Once again, we’re looking forward to seeing what Fassi can do.”

The Boks are under big pressure to bounce back on Saturday, with two Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand still to come.

“We definitely know what we didn’t get right last weekend and we’ve rectified that as a team,” Kriel said. “It was great to get back on the training pitch on Monday, to align and get our plan ready.

“The great thing about this sport is you get another chance. Luckily, we’ve got that chance tomorrow.”

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Stick admitted the loss hit the squad hard.

“Straight after the game it felt like a funeral at Ellis Park – the people were heartbroken,” he said. “We always say we play for the people of South Africa, and we could feel their disappointment.

“Landing in Cape Town, you could see the sad faces around. We’ll do everything in our power to put smiles back on their faces.”

The #Springboks team to face Australia in Cape Town tomorrow 🇿🇦#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/WjKL6gL6K5

— Springboks (@Springboks) August 22, 2025

Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images