Durban - South African rugby players Aphelele Fassi and Jordan Hendrikse received the keys to their Nissan Navara Pro4X bakkies at the Bidvest McCarthy dealership in Durban today.

They are Nissan’s first sports ambassadors for 2026. The appointment of Fassi and Hendrikse as brand ambassadors follows the announcement of three industry ambassadors a fortnight ago at the Nissan head office in Irene, Pretoria.

“The Nissan Navara is an incredible vehicle,” says Ramy Mohareb, head of brand, communications and customer experience for Nissan Africa. “It has proved itself in some of the toughest environments imaginable, while being very diverse at the same time in its application; from commercial to industrial to adventure.

“Whatever the specification, the Nissan Navara is a passport to dare, which why it’s so wonderful to have these great sports stars affirming precisely that by becoming brand ambassadors,” said Mohareb.

Nissan Africa Managing Director Mohammed Abdel Samad, who was in Durban for the handover, was just as enthusiastic.

“I am a late convert to rugby, only now learning to appreciate this game and of course South Africa’s legendary performance on and off the field, but I must say that getting to meet Aphelele and Jordan in person, these athletes truly embody the capability and potential of the Navara PRO-4X.

The highly versatile Fassi is widely regarded as one of the most exciting players in the national rugby set up. He has been capped 15 times and was a member of last year’s victorious Springbok team that won the 2025 Rugby Championship. He has been part of the Sharks’ set up since he began playing professional rugby in 2018.

“I’ve always looked for a vehicle that matches the intensity of the game, and the Navara PRO-4X does exactly that," said Fassi. "It’s a privilege to partner with a brand that values toughness and innovation as much as we do on the rugby field.”

Joining him is flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse, who has been part of the Springbok squad since 2024. After starting his professional career in Johannesburg, Hendrikse returned to Durban to join his brother, Jaden, at the Sharks. In October 2024, the two became the 36th pair of brothers to play for the Springboks.

“For me, it’s about the journey and having the right support to get there," added Hendrikse. "The Navara is all about the freedom to dare, and I’m excited to be behind the wheel of a bakkie that is built for South African conditions.”

There was no question that that the handover had to be held in Durban at one of Nissan’s dealerships, said Nissan South Africa sales director Reichardt Groenewald.

“When you buy a Nissan Navara, you’re not buying a fantastic vehicle that allows you the freedom to dare, you’re also getting an immediate relationship with one our exceptional dealer network, giving you the confidence wherever you are in your journey with Nissan anywhere in the country.”

The Nissan Navara PRO-4X is a specialized 4x4 double-cab bakkie featuring a 2.5L twin-turbo diesel engine (140kW/450Nm) with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Designed for off-roading, it offers 221mm ground clearance, 3500kg braked towing capacity, and premium interior features including an 8-inch screen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and unique black styling accents. The Nissan Navara’s Intelligent Around View Monitor (AVM) with Off-Road Mode uses four cameras to create a 360-degree bird's-eye view, specifically designed to help navigate tricky terrain at slow speeds.

Due its superior ride comfort and dynamic capabilities with 5-link coil suspension, the Pro 4X set the standard for endurance and durability when it undertook Daring Africa, an eight country 8 000km odyssey from South Africa to Egypt.

The Stealth was launched in the Magaliesberg foothills last year , while the Navara Warrior, by Premcar, wrote its own world record on debut for the longest off road journey which it completed in Namaqualand, some of South Africa’s most challenging terrain imaginable.

“But it’s not just us saying that,” says Mohareb, “the Navara was also adjudged Car of the Year in its segment in 2022 in South Africa, as well as Bakkie of the Year in its segment of the inaugural competition of the same name.

“It really does defy ordinary and set the standard for toughness.”

Nissan South Africa’s extensive dealer network covers the far reaches of the country, and every purchase is accompanied by a 6 year/150 000km warranty and a 6 year/ 90 000km service plan.

A suite of Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety technologies like forward emergency brake, lane departure warning and blind spot warning also comes as standard and creates a whole new way of driving to give owners additional peace of mind on the road.