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Cape Town - Western Province fullback Gio Aplon says the reason for his recent return to good form can be put down to one thing... enjoyment.
WP's X-factor player has had a stellar season for the defending Currie Cup champions and the 31-year-old says his is simply enjoying his rugby again.
"Sometimes you forget to enjoy your rugby. It's healthy to have goals but enjoyment is also very important," he told Die Burger's website.
Aplon scored a magnificent 50m solo try in WP's semi-final win over the Golden Lions last week and has improved his overall game significantly this Currie Cup season.
He also hopes his form has caught the eye of Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, who has shied away from picking the nippy speedster.
Aplon has only played for the Springboks once in Meyer's tenure - against England in Port Elizabeth last year - with the coach since opting for bigger and more physical players.
The possibility of playing for the Boks will always stay in my thoughts. If I don't want to play for WP and the Boks anymore, then it will be time to stop," said Aplon.
He will have his hands full though on Saturday against a very physical Sharks team in the Currie Cup final at Newlands.
Who knows, maybe if he passes that test, Meyer may change his mind...
Teams:
Western Province:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Jean de Villiers, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Deon Fourie (captain), 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Frans Malherbe, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Michael Rhodes, 19. Schalk Burger, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Juan de Jongh
Sharks:
15. SP Marais, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Louis Ludik, 12. Francois Steyn, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Keegan Daniel (captain), 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. Peet Marais, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Stephan Lewies, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Cobus Reinach, 21. Fred Zeilinga, 22. Heimar Williams
WP's X-factor player has had a stellar season for the defending Currie Cup champions and the 31-year-old says his is simply enjoying his rugby again.
"Sometimes you forget to enjoy your rugby. It's healthy to have goals but enjoyment is also very important," he told Die Burger's website.
Aplon scored a magnificent 50m solo try in WP's semi-final win over the Golden Lions last week and has improved his overall game significantly this Currie Cup season.
He also hopes his form has caught the eye of Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, who has shied away from picking the nippy speedster.
Aplon has only played for the Springboks once in Meyer's tenure - against England in Port Elizabeth last year - with the coach since opting for bigger and more physical players.
The possibility of playing for the Boks will always stay in my thoughts. If I don't want to play for WP and the Boks anymore, then it will be time to stop," said Aplon.
He will have his hands full though on Saturday against a very physical Sharks team in the Currie Cup final at Newlands.
Who knows, maybe if he passes that test, Meyer may change his mind...
Teams:
Western Province:
15. Gio Aplon, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Jean de Villiers, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Demetri Catrakilis, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Deon Fourie (captain), 5. De Kock Steenkamp, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Frans Malherbe, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Michael Rhodes, 19. Schalk Burger, 20. Nic Groom, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Juan de Jongh
Sharks:
15. SP Marais, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Louis Ludik, 12. Francois Steyn, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Keegan Daniel (captain), 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. Peet Marais, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Stephan Lewies, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Cobus Reinach, 21. Fred Zeilinga, 22. Heimar Williams
