Fassi to get nod at wing with Nkosi ruled out of Boks Test?

The Springbok management may leap at the chance to bring rising talent Aphelele Fassi back into the match day fold with right wing Sbu Nkosi set to miss the first Test against Wales in Cardiff due to passport and visa issues.

According to City Press sister publication Rapport, Nkosi, who had a valid passport, had too few blank pages to apply for a visa and thus had to apply for a new passport before applying for his Shengen Visa, which meant the earliest he could leave for the tour was on Monday.

This rules him out of match day contention with the squad set to be named on Tuesday, which could see Makazole Mapimpi shifted from his usual berth from left to right wing and Fassi inserted onto the left wing where he has featured twice for the Boks so far.

Many were hoping to see Fassi get a run at fullback, with incumbent Willie le Roux’s form recently questioned, however that is still a possibility as centre Jesse Kriel has played on the wing before while utility back Damian Willemse is another option out wide.

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But it is more than likely that Fassi will find himself on the wing, while Le Roux will retain his spot at the back, unless the Boks decide to give Frans Steyn an early run.

Other interesting selection dilemmas could be seen at flyhalf, flank and hooker.

Joseph Dweba is in need of a hit out and could get the nod in the middle of the front row ahead of regulars Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx.

Blindside flank is the most hotly contested position in the Springbok team at the moment, after the injury to Pieter-Steph du Toit during the Lions series ruled him out for the season.

Utility forward  Franco Mostert played in the position for the final Lions Test, Kwagga Smith then started in it against Argentina. Mostert was back in the position for the next three games, one against Argentina and two against Australia, before Smith returned to the position for the final two games against the All Blacks.

It will be interesting to see who gets the nod against Wales, while Marco van Staden who impressed off the bench in a number of games in the Rugby Championship, could also be in line to get a start.

At flyhalf Elton Jantjies might get a chance to start ahead of Handre Pollard, who could be in need of a rest having played for his French club Montpellier until this past weekend.

The Bok management may look to give him a break and play him off the bench if needed, while Jantjies who enjoyed a fantastic second half in the teams win over the All Blacks, could get a well deserved start.