ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Saturday Jul 3, 2021

Aphelele Fassi: The debut Springbok that could change Warren Gatland's Lions selection

South African winger Aphelele Fassi put himself into contention for a starting role on this Summer’s Test series against the British & Irish Lions after a wonderful debut for the Springboks on Friday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 23-year-old made his first appearance in green and gold against Georgia and scored a sensational try out wide inside the first five minutes at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria.

“When I played my first Currie Cup game, the same thing happened and when I sat in my hotel bed, I visualised the try,” said Fassi.

“I didn’t think it was going to happen, but then everything happened so quickly and I just decided to back myself. It is something that I will cherish for a long time.”

Fassi has played little more than 20 times for the Sharks in various forms of Super Rugby over the past couple of years but his finishing ability is unquestionable after that try on Friday night.

ADVERTISEMENT

Shortly after lockdown ended in September 2020, Fassi underwent shoulder surgery following an injury in training and was sidelined for three months before rejoining the Sharks squad for their Currie Cup campaign.

Since then the speedster, who regularly plays full back for the Sharks, has been in potent form for his club and the stats from his Springboks debut in Pretoria were simply astonishing.

Fassi made the most clean line breaks and running metres than any other player on the pitch and as well as scoring his first Test match try, pitched in with an assist for his side too.

The game finished 40-9 and full match highlights, starting with Fassi’s try, are available below:

ADVERTISEMENT

At present, the Springboks are due to face the Lions in Cape Town on 24 July in the opening Test of the series before playing the remaining two games in Johannesburg the following weeks.

Comments




Related Articles

  • 73 WEEKS AGO

    Absolute scenes from triple threat centre...

  • 75 WEEKS AGO

    Henry Arundell wonder try shows he is the...

  • 82 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Blues score two STUNNING tries against...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wild scenes in Toulouse as Portugal seal last gasp comeback win over Fiji

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Theo Dan in the centre of 'punch' storm as possible infringement missed

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Compilation video shows Jamie George's surprising box of tricks

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Eddie Jones reported to have negotiated return to Japan national side

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Rees Zammit hits Olympic level as 100m sprint time is officially finally released

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Mack Hansen proves once again that he is a hero in Ireland

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Irish players brilliantly take the p*** out of Sexton on plane intercom

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Brilliant video of Andy Farrell readying the Irish troops for battle

View All

Amateur

  • 47 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 47 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 71 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 0 HOUR AGO

    Exclusive Intervew: From Bristol to Benetton - The Andy Uren story

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Transfer News: George North to take considerable talents to France

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Tom Foley takes break from officiating international matches following death threats

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    James Haskell shares thoughts on 'best mate' Owen Farrell

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    The key change Steve Borthwick has made to England squad selection

View All