Bok fans can’t work out the absence of latest rising star
Jacques Nienaber’s latest South Africa 23 to take on Wales on Saturday has been released and has disappointed some fans who wanted to see 23-year-old Aphelele Fassi feature.
In a squad that is missing Cheslin Kolbe through injury and without Sbu Nkosi for the time being due to visa issues, Nienaber has opted to leave out Willie le Roux at fullback. Many feel this was an opportunity for Fassi to start, but instead Damian Willemse starts in the No15 shirt and Jesse Kriel starts on the wing for only the third time in what will be his 49th cap.
Fassi has been introduced slowly to Test rugby, only making two appearances this year against Georgia and Argentina, but he impressed in both outings. With matches against Scotland and England coming, there is time for Fassi to feature, but many fans thought this was his chance.
This is what has been said:
No Fassi in the match 23 ☹️
— Patuxolo_G (@Patuxolo_) November 2, 2021
Willems is good, but come on guys you need to start playing Fassi at 15. He’s our future in that position.
— Bhuda Prince (@Kevin7worldwide) November 2, 2021
I would have loved to see fassi on 14 and Steyn on 15.
1.) Fassi needs a chance he really has proven himself.
2.) The energy Steyn brings to the team is incredible.— Heinrich (@Heinric21883279) November 2, 2021
Should have played Fassie
— Nkalakatane (@tnmaunye) November 2, 2021
Where is Aphelele Fasi? He deserves the run. He’s also a @Springboks player.
— Sipho Mence 🇿🇦 (@REALPSYFO) November 2, 2021
Don’t understand the point of Fassi being in the squad to carry tackling bags week in and week out. Let him go play for Sharks and gain some experience.
— LukasMCFC (@McfcLukas) November 2, 2021
I would have loved to see Aphelele at 14, but ke I guess Kriel is more experienced https://t.co/2QTEsjL1xe
— Sandile Booi (@sandile_booi) November 2, 2021
Springbok team to face Wales in Cardiff:
15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 14 caps, 5pts (1t)
14 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 48 caps, 60 pts (12t)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 23 caps, 25 pts (5t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Munster) – 55 caps, 35 pts (7t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 22 caps, 85 pts (17t)
10 – Handré Pollard (vice-captain, Montpellier) – 57 caps, 568 pts (6t, 83c, 120p, 4d)
9 – Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers) – 18 caps, 25 pts (5t)
8 – Duane Vermeulen (Ulster) – 58 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 – Kwagga Smith (Yamaha Júbilo) – 16 caps, 5 pts (1t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 60 caps, 30 pts (6t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Sale Sharks) – 53 caps, 25 pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Toulon) – 94 caps, 15 pts (3t)
3 – Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls) – 51 caps, 5pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers) – 45 caps, 45 pts (9t)
1 – Ox Nché (Cell C Sharks) – 6 caps, 0pts
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 43 caps, 45 pts (9t)
17 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 56 caps, 5pts (1t)
18 – Vincent Koch (Saracens) – 28 caps, 0 pts
19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 48 caps, 5pts (1t)
20 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 8 caps, 0 pts
21 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 18 caps, 40pts (8t)
22 – Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes) – 41 caps, 309 pts (2t, 64c, 56p, 1d)
23 – Frans Steyn (Toyota Cheetahs) – 71 caps, 141pts (11t, 7c, 21p, 3d)
