1
The fullback conundrum faced by the new Springboks coach
By Online Editors
Selecting a suitable fullback is certainly not a headache for new Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.
It is safe to say that Willie Le Roux is expected to wear South Africa’s No.15 jersey when the British and Irish Lions visit in 2021.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has a message for rugby fans concerning the coronavirus outbreak:
The 30-year-old is the first-choice fullback and will certainly be a major part in Nienaber’s squad at the 2023 World Cup in France.
However, selecting Le Roux’s backup is not as obvious for Springbok selectors.
Last year then Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus found himself in a similar predicament – as loads of suitable replacements surfaced throughout the year.
There was Warrick Gelant (Bulls), Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), Andries Coetzee (Lions) and Erasmus’ preferred ‘fullback’, Damian Willemse.
Erasmus made no secret of his plans for Willemse. The Director of Rugby was dead set on moving the 21-year-old from flyhalf to fullback despite blistering criticism.
The 47-year-old stuck to his decision, which was ultimately a good one – as Willemse looked more comfortable operating from fullback.
This year is no different.
Many, especially Stormers head coach John Dobson, prefers Willemse at flyhalf. The 21-year-old started most of this year’s suspended Super Rugby season at flyhalf.
Willemse was not horrendous at No.10. However, his poor kicking-game and lack of decision-making made his overall form appear average.
And, as we all know, Willemse’s talent and skills are certainly far from average.
The Stormers star is a dynamic game-breaker with tremendous X-factor. It is more than obvious that he deserves a shot at that Springboks’ No.15 jersey.
Aside from Willemse, Gelant and the cast-aside Leyds are all vying for a Springbok spot.
Gelant has been the senior playmaker at the Bulls, while Leyds has been one of the stand-out performers for the Stormers.
However, a new star has been making waves.
The 22-year-old Sharks sensation Aphelele Fassi has been a revelation and his form has certainly handed Nienaber a very pleasant ‘headache’.
Purely based on form after seven rounds of Super Rugby one could say Fassi is one of South Africa’s best fullbacks at the moment.
Out of all the fullback options, Fassi has made the most line-out breaks and top the charts with the most defenders beaten.
Fassi is not only phenomenal on attack, but he has taken his game to another level, by developing his kicking-game with the help of former Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie.
The bonus for Nienamber is the current crop of fullbacks’ versatility makes it easy for them to cover a number of positions in the backline – certainly a worry worth having.
- Leezil Hendricks/Rugby365
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode
5
Latest Comments
Excellent points Mz. Because of other commitments I have just watched the game.
Interesting watching it after reading all the news reports especially in the English media. I was expecting to see a game that the ABs were very lucky to win. What I saw was a game that England showed their tactical incompetence and their inability to construct any try scoring opportunities.
They can go on deluding themselves that they were unlucky to lose ( as Borthwick said post match ) but until they stop relying on rush defence and goal kicking to win I feel they're doomed to be ranked 4 or 5 in the world.
Can't wait until the weekend to see how the Wallabies go against them
Though I dare say Walter will be hoping for an England win.
Go to commentsIF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.
As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.
Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).
This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.
If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.
Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.
After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.
Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.
Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)
Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.
Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.
Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.
Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:
Seeding Band 1
IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG
Seeding Band 2
SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: FIJI
1/8 final opponent GEORGIA
Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA
1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND
Prognosis: You know the prognosis
I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?
Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.
Go to comments