VIDEO: Erasmus speaks about Willie le Roux's future
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus explains why veteran fullback Willie Le Roux didn’t get to play his 100th Test for the Boks in 2024.
Le Roux played in four out of 13 Tests in 2024, with Aphelele Fassi donning the No.15 jersey for most of the season.
Two of the four Tests were against Ireland in South Africa.
The other two were played away in the first Test against Australia during the Rugby Championship and Scotland in the Nations Series.
Erasmus said that while Le Roux deserves 100 Tests for his commitment to the Bok jersey, the team always comes first before a player’s personal accolades.
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“When Eben played his [128th] Test, we wanted to play that game in South Africa when he broke the [Springbok] record.
“We want to start a player when it’s his 100th game.
“We would’ve loved to give Willie [le Roux] his 100th Test last year, but [Aphelele] Fassi was just playing so well.
“So we don’t want to give away freebies. He is two games away.
“Sacha [Feinburg-Mngomezulu] and Damian [Willemse] haven’t played for a while.
“[Aphelele] Fassi and Manie [Libbok] is currently injured.
“Jordan [Hendrikse] and Siya Masuku is coming through, and Cheslin [Kolbe] can play fullback.
“We will never put a player’s personal interest above the team.
“But Willie deserves to get to 100 games.
“We’re playing 15 matches with 14 being Tests, so hopefully he’ll get his 100th [Test] this year.”
