Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus revealed that veteran fullback Willie le Roux is still very much a part of the Bok setup going forward.
The backline wizard has been instrumental in the Bok attack for the last two World Cup cycles. At the set piece, he is often seen slotting in at flyhalf to direct play. On the counterattack, Le Roux is so often the final pass that puts away his teammate to score.
Currently on 94 caps, a career milestone beckons for Le Roux. However, with the in-form Aphelele Fassi getting the nod ahead of le Roux for the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship clash this Saturday, questions arose around the 35-year-old’s future in the Boks.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Erasmus allayed those concerns.
“Look, we want to get him to his 100th game,” he told the media scrum.
“I think he can play another two years, I don’t think he will make another World Cup. If he makes another World Cup, it will be like Stephen Donald [for New Zealand in 2011]. But his role in the team now is to help youngsters. And when he plays, to help us win.”
The youngsters Erasmus is referring to are Fassi and the injured Damian Willemse. The pair are 26 years old and could potentially feature in the next two World Cup cycles.
Erasmus added that Le Roux understands he has to pass on his immense intellectual capital for the greater good of the squad.
“He’s at a time in his career when he excepts what his role is in the team,” he continued.
“He helps the guys to understand ‘how big the Test match is. How are we going to handle this? How are you going to read that flyhalf? When do you have to cover what space?’ He and Aphelele are [close]. And when Gaza [Willemse] comes in, he’ll be working closely with him.”
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on fullback Aphelele Fassi.
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) August 27, 2024
WATCH full press conference ➡️ ➡️ ➡️https://t.co/QpivmXtuKE pic.twitter.com/T3bcahkYOy
