2 days ago
Can young bucks spark Rassie Erasmus' Springbok ‘Dad's Army' for 2027 World Cup?
Ashfak Mohamed | Published 2 hours ago
Ruck&Maul Column
Some of the Sharks' Springbok stars were heavily criticised on social media following the United Rugby Championship semi-final defeat to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last weekend.
Centre Lukhanyo Am bore the brunt of the fall-out after he had a nightmare in Pretoria, with a number of uncharacteristic handling errors in particular blighting his performance.
But does that mean that Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus must now 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' when it comes to Test selection in 2025?
In fact, Erasmus has a lot to ponder on during this week's camp in Johannesburg, as there are still three international seasons to complete before he picks his final squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
There is a definite possibility of a Bok 'Dad's Army' rocking up Down Under, and it is something that Erasmus needs to be mindful of over the next few years.
It is not necessarily a bad thing having several experienced campaigners who have won two consecutive World Cups – like England in their 2003-winning campaign in Australia, and who also made the 2007 final in France – and being loyal to warriors who have produced decisive contributions in the toughest moments over the last six years.
But it is about getting the mix just right between the old dogs and the new young bucks for Australia 2027.
That is perhaps something the Sharks haven't done over the last few years, as they may have contracted too many top-tier Boks such as Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche all at once.
They can't be expected to be at their best for virtually 12 months of the year, considering the fact that the Boks start their Test season after the URC, and then go straight into the Rugby Championship – a period that should be their off-season, as the northern-hemisphere players enjoy every year.
But the age of some stalwart Boks can't be ignored when looking to 2027. Willie le Roux is turning 36 in August and is probably just going to earn a deserved 100th cap before leaving the Test arena.
Makazole Mapimpi will be 35 in July, and even though he's playing great rugby at the moment, he will be 37 in 2027.
Kolisi will celebrate his 34th birthday next Monday (Youth Day), Etzebeth will be 34 in October – and has sustained a few concussions and other injuries – Mbonambi turned 34 in January, Am will be 32 in November, Handré Pollard turned 31 in March, Jesse Kriel was 31 in February, Damian de Allende will be 34 in November, Pieter-Steph du Toit will be 33 in August... and so we can go on.
So, with the 54-man squad announced by Erasmus last week for the upcoming matches against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia, it is clear that he is looking to the future as well.
Many of the new faces have already proved that they can become Test stars, such as flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and fullback Aphelele Fassi.
And Erasmus has stated that some of the fresh blood – like UCT wing Ntokozo Makhaza – won't necessarily play this year, but just get used to the Bok environment.
Erasmus' hand may be forced in certain positions, though – and that is also down to the 'new' players having to take their opportunities this year.
Wilco Louw has been outstanding since rejoining the Bulls, and has surely become the first-choice Bok tighthead – even if Frans Malherbe had to be fit.
Hooker is not a clear-cut selection either.
Malcolm Marx may edge out Mbonambi for a starting berth, but where does Jan-Hendrik Wessels fit into the front row, having been a destructive force at loosehead prop as well for the Bulls?
With Etzebeth's injury concerns and Salmaan Moerat sustaining another concussion in the URC quarter-final, who are the No 4 lock alternate options?
Cameron Hanekom's injury in the URC semi-final has reopened the door for Evan Roos, but will the Stormers man get a proper chance to establish himself?
Will Feinberg-Mngomezulu be backed as the No 1 flyhalf, or will Pollard start against the All Blacks in September?
At least Erasmus has the July Tests and the two Australian Rugby Championship encounters to find answers to these questions...
