Are these three Springbok stalwarts being phased out?
Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that there will need to be some careful consideration given to the average age of the squad that heads to the next global showpiece. However, as long as some veterans continue to meet their key performance metrics, they can keep themselves firmly in the mix.
With all this in mind, though, it was revealing that Erasmus did release three veterans from an otherwise near full-strength squad for the start of the Rugby Championship.
So, what does the future hold for Faf de Klerk, Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am?
Faf de Klerk
A star performer during the 2019 and 2023 World Cup triumphs, De Klerk missed a large part of last season due to injury, and in his absence the likes of Grant Williams and Morne van den Berg have begun to take big strides forward.
De Klerk is now 33-years-old, and while this may be a consideration to some degree, it can't be forgotten that Cobus Reinach remains in the latest Springbok squad at the age of 35.
Faf came off the bench in the first Test against Italy and against Georgia, so he's certainly not out of the picture just yet despite falling down the pecking order to some degree.
Verdict: There IS more to come.
Makazole Mapimpi
The veteran wing will soon celebrate his 35th birthday on 26 July, and although Mapimpi is still in great shape, even he has admitted that it's highly unlikely he'd make it through to the next World Cup.
Mapimpi has lost his spot in the Springboks' first choice starting line-up to Kurt-Lee Arendse, and other young wingers such as Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe have shown great potential for the future.
Nevertheless, Mapimpi did display great form for the Sharks this past season, and the Springboks know the value of his reliability and experience.
Verdict: Mapimpi might battle to make it to the next World Cup, but over the next two years, he should still have an opportunity to prove that age is just a number.
Lukhanyo Am
In recent times, injuries have really plagued the progress of the 31-year-old, and at the same time Jesse Kriel has established a firm grip on the No 13 jersey.
It is evident that the Springboks also view talented Canan Moodie as a strong back up option at outside centre, perhaps also prompting the decision to release Am at this stage.
However, there is no doubt that the Springboks do need some more depth at outside centre, and the national coaches will be desperately hoping to see Am get back to his best fitness and form.
Verdict: Don't count him out just yet, age IS still on his side.
Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux Begles), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls).
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers).
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