Latest news with #ApheleleFassi
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Updated World Rankings after Springboks and All Blacks wins
Aphelele Fassi glides past the All Blacks defence. Image: Via X/@Springboks. The Springboks lead at the top of the world rankings has been cut with the All Blacks closing in. The Springboks demolished Georgia 55-10 on Saturday evening. Meanwhile, the All Blacks secured a clean sweep over the French after defeating 'Les Bleus' 1 South Africa 92.78 2 New Zealand 92.06 (+0.34) 3 Ireland 89.83 4 France 87.82 (-0.34) 5 England 87.64 6 Australia 82.08 7 Argentina 82.05 8 Scotland 81.57 (+0.20) 9 Fiji 80.50 10 Italy 77.77
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok fullback Fassi fired up to make more good memories of Georgia and Mbombela
Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi returns to Mbombela Stadium this weekend with confidence and form, eager to shine once more in front of one of South Africa's most passionate rugby crowds. Photo: Backpageix Image: Backpagepix The last time Aphelele Fassi played for the Springboks at Mbombela Stadium, he crossed the try-line twice during a rampant 48-7 victory over a strong Argentina side — a match forever remembered as Eben Etzebeth's record-breaking Test. It was an emotional occasion, as Etzebeth overtook Victor Matfield to become the most-capped Springbok lock, but it was also the night Fassi delivered on the potential Rassie Erasmus had always seen in him. Having spent two years in the international wilderness refining his game, the fullback returned with an exceptional display that ticked every box the coaches had set for him. The 26-year-old is back in Mbombela this Saturday to face Georgia, now widely considered the frontrunner to succeed veteran Willie le Roux — though Damian Willemse remains a contender for the No 15 jersey. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Fassi, however, is brimming with confidence and nostalgia. 'Playing for the Springboks here in Mbombela is awesome, the guys love it here,' he said. 'The crowd is crazy, the atmosphere unreal. The passion for rugby here is unbelievable. Mbombela has a special place in my heart.' He also has 'Georgia on his mind' — with apologies to the late, great Ray Charles. 'I have great memories of that game against Georgia in 2021 at Loftus,' said Fassi, who was on the wing that day. 'With my first touch of the ball in the green and gold, I scored a try five minutes into the game. That was special. 'I see how I've grown since that debut. I've got more composure now and communicate more with my wings. Physically, I'm imposing myself — whether it's in the air, at the breakdown, in the tackle or with ball in hand.' The Battle of Mbombela 🦁 Unbeaten ground. One last roar to close out the Castle Lager Incoming Series. Make some noise - get your tickets now at Ticketmaster: #ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) July 17, 2025 Fassi's international progress stalled after a tough outing in 2022, when the Boks suffered a shock loss to Wales in Bloemfontein. His defensive frailties and lack of impact in the kicking game were exposed — leading to a period of honest introspection and targeted improvement. 'The coaches explained some things to me after that game. I was sent clips focusing on defensive drills. At the Sharks, I had a long chat with Joey Mongalo, our defence coach. "The one big thing he said was: 'The intent with which you do something will show if you really want to do it or not.' Intent is the most important thing in defence. 'I took my game up a notch. I played with determination and fixed my defence. I had to prove to myself that as the last man of defence, I could make my tackles.' Looking ahead to Saturday's encounter, Fassi expects a tough, uncompromising test from the Lelos. 'I'm expecting a physical battle. Their backline is more direct and physical in the wider channels, and they compete hard at the breakdown and in the tackle. But I also feel they're a team that likes to play with the ball. A lot of their players are in the French Top 14, so they'll bring a good mix.' Set for his 12th Test cap, Fassi says his experience is starting to pay off. 'When you're young, you just want to run with the ball at every opportunity. Now I look at the flow of the game and how things are panning out. In Test rugby, you've got to win certain battles, and every battle I enter is one I want to win — with the aim of putting my forwards in front. 'I like to play what's in front of me, but also remain aware of how the game is unfolding.'
News24
5 days ago
- Sport
- News24
Georgia on his mind: Fassi comes full circle since 2021 Bok debut against the Lelos
Springboks fullback Aphelele Fassi. (Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images) Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now Show Comments ()
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Are Willie's Bok days now over?
Aphelele Fassi and Damian Willemse are already ahead of Le Roux in the pecking order for the No 15 jersey. Is this it for Willie le Roux? One has got to wonder whether the latest member of the Springbok 100-club will play again for the national team. On Saturday in Gqeberha, Le Roux joined seven other players to have picked up 100 caps for the Boks when he started at fullback in the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha. Le Roux delivered a mixed bag performance and was subbed not long after half-time. But with the two-time World Cup winner turning 36 next month, and with Aphelele Fassi (27) and Damian Willemse (27) in the wings and already ahead of Le Roux in the Bok pecking order, it feels like we've seen the last of the assist king, as Le Roux has come to be known in recent years. Let's also not forget coach Rassie Erasmus has in the past also called up Jordan Hendrikse (24), who can play flyhalf and fullback, and Quan Horn (24), and they have lots of international rugby ahead of them. Bok fullback competition Le Roux has been a quality Bok member since 2013, despite how many fans feel about his abilities. Like most players, he's got his strong points and weak points, he's done good things and made some blunders, but he's always played with passion and always thought of those around him rather than himself. It will be interesting to see if coach Rassie Erasmus keeps Le Roux in the mix for the Rugby Championship. I don't think he will, not with Fassi and Willemse around and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also able to play fullback. The Boks are well covered in the fullback department. Where does one rank Le Roux then, among the Boks' fullbacks since 1992? Can he be spoken about in the same company as Andre Joubert and Percy Montgomery? Is he better than one of them, or better than both, or is he not even close to being in that company? Whatever your thoughts, Le Roux served the Boks well, he won two World Cups and he played 100 Tests. That's some career, so well done to him. And thank you for all the thrills – and spills.
The South African
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
LIVE SCORING: Springboks v Barbarians
The Springboks will meet the Barbarians for the first time since 2016 – and for the first time ever in South Africa – when the teams do battle in Cape Town on Saturday evening. The game – which kicks off at 17:10 at the DHL Stadium – marks the Springboks' first match of the international season, after a successful 2024 campaign that yielded 11 wins in 13 Tests, as well as a Rugby Championship title. South Africa and the travelling club will compete for the Qatar Airways Cup, which the Springboks have held since defeating the All Blacks at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in 2023, and Wales at the same London venue last year. All eight of the previous matches between the Springboks and Barbarians were staged in Europe, with South Africa winning three, the Barbarians winning four, and one match ending in a draw. How will this encounter play out? Keep track below. Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen. Barbarians: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Shannon Frizell, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Peter O'Mahony (captain), 5 David Ribbans, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Cian Healy. Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Hassane Kolingar, 18 Will Collier, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Santiago Arata, 22 Joe Marchant, 23 Lachlan Boshier. Date: Saturday, June 28 Venue: Cape Town Stadium Kick-off: 17.10 (15.10 GMT) Referee: AJ Jacobs Assistant referees: Christopher Allison and Stephan Geldenhuys TMO: Egon Seconds Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
