Springboks: Aphelele Fassi backed to shine in 2022 and stake claim for full-back jersey

Yet, in the past year, the tide appears to have quickly turned in a favourable direction. Damian Willemse featured prominently for South Africa in 2021 and was set to be backed to start at 15 on the end-of-year tour before he was struck down with an untimely concussion.

Veteran Frans Steyn has proven that he still has an affinity for full-back, Warrick Gelant is playing some of the best domestic rugby of his career, while Tyrone Green – a potential Bok bolter – has consistently been one of the standout performers for English club Harlequins.

And then there’s Aphelele Fassi.

If 2021 was the season the Sharks youngster finally broke through to the Springbok team, 2022 looms large as the year in which he could stake a fierce claim for that Springbok No 15 jersey.

Fassi – who has just turned 24 – was recently unveiled as the South African Young Player of the Year for 2021, seeing off competition from Jaden Hendrikse, Elrigh Louw, Evan Roos and Jordan Hendrikse.

Highlights of the year for Fassi saw him enjoy a memorable international debut against Georgia – which included a try with his first touch of the ball – while he also impressed in his second Springbok appearance against Argentina. On both occasions, Fassi started in the relatively unfamiliar position of left wing, but that didn’t stop him from taking to Test rugby with the utmost ease.

Yet, as the Boks headed off on the overseas leg of the Rugby Championship before ending the year with three Tests in the northern hemisphere, Fassi went from starting on the wing, to waiting in the wings.

With the Springboks predominantly prioritising experience and consistency in selection last year, there was no free pass to a match-day squad dominated by World Cup and Lions series