Rassie Erasmus Considers Which Springboks Would Be Too Old for 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia

• Rassie Erasmus is likely to continue on as South Africa's head coach for the next tournament cycle.
• Just under half of the 2023 World Champions are over 30 stressing the need to blood fresh talent.
• The 2027 Rugby World Cup is set to be hosted in Australia with the Springboks in line for history.

There is an old cliche about age being just a number.

Rassie Erasmus and coaching partner Jaques Nienaber spent four years building depth and versatility, a feat Erasmus will need to repeat with a fresh crop if the Springboks are to do the impossible.

Sixteen of the 2023 squad are over 30, with eight being closer to 40 when the next edition comes around.

A giant on and off the pitch, Duane Vermeulen announced his retirement after the tournament at age 37. Late call-up to the squad, Deon Fourie, is 36 and will be happy with his fairytale contribution.

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Willie Le Roux and Trevor Nyakane will be 38, while Bongi Mbonambi, Makazole Mapimpi, Vincent Koch and Kobus Reinach will all be 37 when the next tournament rolls around.

Barring massive leaps in regenerative technology, they have likely run their World Cup race and able replacements could already be emerging.

Rassie Erasmus is said to be resuming the head coach role, as stated by News24. Erasmus will have decisions to make on those who are on the borderline.

Frans Malherbe, Franco Mostert and captain Siy Kolisi will all be 36 in 2027. Damian de Allende and Faf de Klerk will be 35, as will a core of destructive forwards.

Steven Kitshoff, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth seem evergreen but time catches everyone. As stated by BokSquad, Erasmus said:

“Eben is so athletic, but I don’t know if he still has a World Cup in him. We may also be a bit thin [in the lineouts]."

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Those who will be in their mid-thirties are to play a pivotal part in sharing their vast experience in the next few years, even if one or two don't make the final cut next time.

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