Four World Cup winners who could soon say farewell to Springboks

Four World Cup winners who could soon say farewell to Springboks

SpringboksA few World Cup champions are unlikely to play for the Springboks for very long. Are these goodbyes approaching soon?

The fact that most of the current World Cup-winning Springboks might still qualify for the 2027 competition is undoubtedly notable.

But it’s also important to remember that a number of prominent players are approaching the end of their Test careers. Here, we look at the players who may soon be saying goodbye to the Boks.

Even though it will be disappointing to watch Makazole Mapimpi play fewer and fewer games for the Springboks, the seasoned winger is 33 years old. Mapimpi already dropped out of the Bok first-choice matchday 23 lineup at the most recent World Cup, and while he’s still in excellent form, his Test career will probably come to an end in the upcoming seasons.

Cobus Reinach will turn 34 in February. The tough scrumhalf had a fantastic season with the Springboks, but it will be intriguing to watch how much more international rugby Reinach plays with the plenty of cover provided by players like Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse.

When it comes to the Boks’ forwards, Trevor Nyakane is now in his mid-30s, and while he may have another couple of years of Test rugby in him, it’s highly likely that his game-time will begin to wind down.

Then there is of course Deon Fourie, who won the World Cup at the age of 37. The versatile forward doesn’t seem to be considering retirement just yet, but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the World Cup final ends up being his last game in the green and gold.

How many 2023 World Cup winning Springboks could still make it to the next showpiece?

Ages at 2027 RWC of current Springbok backs: 9: Faf de Klerk 35 / Jaden Hendrikse 27 / Grant Williams 31; 10: Handre Pollard 33 / Manie Libbok 30; 11: Cheslin Kolbe 33, 12: Damian de Allende 34 / Andre Esterhuizen 33; 13: Jessse Kriel 33 / Lukhanyo Am 33, Canan Moodie 23; 14: Kurt-Lee Arendse 31; 15: Damian Willemse 29

Out of the running for next RWC in all likelihood: Makazole Mapimpi 37, Cobus Reinach 37, Willie le Roux 38

Current Bok forwards: 1: Steven Kitshoff 35 / Ox Nche 32; 2: Bongi Mbonambi 36 / Malcolm Marx 33, 3: Frans Malherbe 36 / Vincent Koch 37, 4: Eben Etzebeth 35 / RG Snyman 32, 5: Franco Mostert 35 / Jean Kleyn 34 / Marvin Orie 34, 6: Siya Kolisi 36 / Marco van Staden 32, 7: Pieter-Steph du Toit 35 / 8: Jasper Wiese 31 / Kwagga Smith 34

Out of the running for next RWC: Trevor Nyakane 38, Deon Fourie 41, Duane Vermeulen 41.

It certainly makes for interesting reading, and when considering many new young players will undoubtedly come into the mix, it’s clear that the Springboks could be really well placed to go for their World Cup hat-trick.

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