Aphelele Fassi flourishing under Rassie Erasmus backing and Tony Brown's free-flowing philosophy

After making a low-key Test debut on the wing against Georgia in 2021, Fassi faded from the national radar and missed out on South Africa's 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign. But the 27-year-old fullback has returned to the international scene a more refined and mentally grounded player - and his growth hasn't gone unnoticed.

With eight Test starts in the No 15 jersey since rejoining the Springbok fold last year, Fassi is quickly becoming a key part of Rassie Erasmus' evolving squad. His standout moment came when he was preferred over veteran Willie le Roux for a marquee clash against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.

"It was important," Fassi said of the public backing from Erasmus. "I guess it did build a lot of character in me; it did show that I could do things that I didn't think I was able to do."

For Fassi, it's no longer just about making the match-day squad. He's fully embraced the broader culture of the current Springbok environment - one built on collective responsibility, energy, and learning from those around him.

"The role I want to play in the Springboks is to help in a positive way whether I'm playing or not," Fassi said. "To be here and enjoy training with players like Gazza (Damian Willemse), Willie le Roux, and Handre Pollard. I feed off the energy in the team and try to learn by watching how the guys do things."

His team-first attitude aligns well with the philosophy brought in by new attack coach Tony Brown, who has encouraged Springbok backs to play with more expression and instinct.

"Tony and the coaches want us to express ourselves and play with freedom," Fassi explained. "The aim is to follow the team's execution plan, but to do so with confidence."

The Springbok coaching staff now face a welcome selection headache at fullback, with Fassi, Willemse, and Le Roux all pushing for minutes. But according to Fassi, the competition has only elevated the standard - without breeding tension.

"For the last couple of weeks, Damian and I have been helping each other. The experience Willie brings is vital for both of us," he said. "The aim is not to bash each other up, but to compete and help each other move forward."

With 15 Test matches on the Springboks' 2024 calendar - including next week's non-cap fixture against the Barbarians - Fassi is primed to continue developing ahead of the next World Cup cycle.

But he's under no illusions about the need to stay ahead of the game.

"Each and every year you play, there's a target on your back," he said. "That's why we want to evolve, avoid being predictable. It's up to me to tick those boxes, play a different style, and come into each game with a new approach."