Fassi ready to take on kicking duties if Libbok’s radar is off

SPRINGBOK fullback Aphelele Fassi knew he would be part of the goal-kicking strategy for Saturday's Rugby Championship match against Australia when he was told last week to pack his kicking tee in his luggage.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

While starting fly-half Manie Libbok is enjoying one of his better goal-kicking streaks, his radar has been known to go haywire.

Coach Rassie Erasmus is famous for his meticulous planning, and he has covered all eventualities by having Fassi in goal-kicking mode - just in case.

The Boks don't have Handré Pollard or Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu on the bench, so the backup kicking duties will fall to Fassi or, possibly, Damian Willemse. The latter, who is on the bench, is also known to be somewhat inconsistent with the boot.

At Monday’s team announcement press conference, Erasmus confirmed that Fassi will take over the kicking if Libbok struggles.