Just just lately, Sharks coach John Plumtree was one of many outstanding figures in South African rugby to situation a stark warning that some prime Springboks could not make the subsequent World Cup primarily based on the taxing nature of a congested rugby schedule.

From the URC to the Champions Cup, quite a few Springbok gamers who’re concerned in these competitions are discovering it unattainable to have a ‘rest’ interval in between the worldwide seasons, and there’s at the moment a really prolonged damage record of stars who’ve been pressured onto the sidelines.

It is a part of the rationale that Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus opted to implement a rotation coverage throughout the 2024 season, whereas reminding some frontline gamers that they should settle for taking part in much less Test rugby at instances, to be able to prolong the longevity of their careers.

With this in thoughts, let’s check out how previous a few of the most outstanding Springboks might be by the point the subsequent World Cup showpiece rolls round.

Ages of present prime Springboks at 2027 Rugby World Cup

How previous these frontline Springbok backs might be heading into the subsequent RWC: Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk 35 / Jaden Hendrikse 27 / Grant Williams 31 / Cobus Reinach 37; Flyhalves: Handre Pollard 33 / Manie Libbok 30 / Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 25; Left wing: Cheslin Kolbe 33 / Makazole Mapimpi 37, Centres: Damian de Allende 34 / Andre Esterhuizen 33 / Jesse Kriel 33 / Lukhanyo Am 33; Right wing: Kurt-Lee Arendse 31 / Canan Moodie 24; Fullbacks: Damian Willemse 29 / Willie le Roux 38 / Aphelele Fassi 29.

How previous these frontline Springbok forwards might be heading into the subsequent RWC: Loosehead props: Steven Kitshoff 35 / Ox Nche 32 / Gerhard Steenekamp 30; Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi 36 / Malcolm Marx 33 / Johan Grobbelaar 29, Tighthead props: Frans Malherbe 36 / Vincent Koch 37 / Thomas du Toit 32, Locks: Eben Etzebeth 35 / RG Snyman 32 / Franco Mostert 35 / Jean Kleyn 34 / Marvin Orie 34 / Salmaan Moerat 29, Flanks: Siya Kolisi 36 / Marco van Staden 32 / Pieter-Steph du Toit 35 / Kwagga Smith 34 / Ben-Jason Dixon 29, No 8s: Jasper Wiese 31 / Cameron Hanekom 25 / Elrigh Louw 28.

For probably the most half, anybody over the age of 35 might be unlikely to make it to the subsequent World Cup, however after all exceptions will undoubtedly be made for the likes of Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit if they’re match and on kind.

ALL THE PLAYERS THAT FEATURED FOR THE BOKS IN 2024:

Props (9): Ox Nche, Thomas du Toit, Gerhard Steenekamp, Frans Malherbe, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Ntuthukho Mchunu, Trevor Nyakane, Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Hookers (4): Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Johan Grobbelaar, Andre-Hugo Venter.

Locks (5): Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat.

Loose forwards (11): Jasper Wiese, Kwagga Smith, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden, Ben-Jason Dixon, Pepsi Buthelezi, Evan Roos, Ruan Venter, Cameron Hanekom.

Scrumhalves (5): Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Jaden Hendrikse, Morne van den Berg.

Flyhalves (4): Handre Pollard, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok, Jordan Hendrikse.

Centres (4): Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen.

Wingers (5): Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Edwill van der Merwe.

Fullbacks (3): Willie le Roux, Aphelele Fassi, Quan Horn.

Which gamers do you suppose will miss the lower?

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