FILE - Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus flanked by captain Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth ahead of Etzebeth’s record-breaking Test against . (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus’ blending in a few new faces into the team in 2024 was definitely with an eye on the next Rugby World Cup in 2027 in Australia.
Not that he actually kept it a secret, as the core group of this golden generation of Springbok superstars are heading towards the twilight of their careers. This cycle towards the 2027 tournament is going to be the last time we see some of the greatest ever Springboks in action.
Some of these giants of the game may not even make it that far, as most of the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup winners find themselves on the wrong side of 30.
Ageing Springbok teams failed to win the Webb-Ellis cup in 2011 and 2015, because succession planning had to take a backseat for results. Erasmus, however, has had a bit more freedom to blood new players because of the success they have enjoyed over the last six years.
The coach has also created enough depth and environment where new players seem to slot in seamlessly. So new players coming in don’t really weaken the team, as was evident during the recent Rugby Championship.
The other thing that Erasmus is doing well while blending in the youngsters, is to manage the older, key Boks’ time on the park, especially those in the pack. He tends to make his substitutes a lot earlier than other teams, with his starting front row rarely still on the park after 50 minutes in a Test match.
There are key areas where they Springboks will definitely be exploring to create more depth, such as hooker, with Bongi Mbonambi 33 years old and Malcolm Marx currently 30.
That definitely add to the longevity of key players such as Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth, who will be 36 in 2027.
IOL Sport’s John Goliath makes a list of the Springboks who should make it to the World Cup, those that are borderline and the players who are unlikely to make it to the showpiece in 2027.
RG Snyman (29)
Ox Nche (29)
Handre Pollard (30)
Jesse Kriel (30)
Kwagga Smith (30)
Lukyano Am (30)
Malcolm Marx (30)
Damian de Allende (32)
Cheslin Kolbe (30)
Steven Kitshoff
Eben Etzebeth (32)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (32)
Borderline
Siya Kolisi (33)
Franco Mostert (33)
Frans Malherbe (33)
Bongi Mbonambi (33)
Makazole Mpimpi (34)
Vincent Koch (34)
Willie le Roux (35)
Trevor Nyakane (35)
@JohnGoliath82