Sharks boss fancies Fassi for Boks

Sean Everitt has backed star fullback Aphelele Fassi’s chances of running out for the Springboks against Wales in the July series.

Fassi’s flair helped the Sharks to a four-try 28-23 win over Leinster in Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash in Durban.

The 24-year-old – playing his first match back from injury – counter-attacked to create an opening for Jaden Hendrikse to score, and could’ve had another assist were it not for a try-saving tackle while offloading to Curwin Bosch in the last 10 minutes.

Willie le Roux is the Bok incumbent, while Warrick Gelant and Damian Willemse have been red-hot for the Stormers in the URC, but Everitt says Fassi has earned a shot in the green and gold to face the Welsh.

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“He’s come back from a lengthy injury and he was on form before he got injured,” the Sharks coach said. “He returned to play [on Saturday] and we probably rushed him back [because] he only had one week of return to the field training.

“But the character he is, he just gets on with the job. He’s not fazed by anything and he’s certainly got the X-factor.

“It’s really good to have a guy like that back and we just hope that he gets higher honours later in June when the international window opens.”