The coach of South Africa, the reigning double world champion, looked ahead during a press conference on the future and the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Rassie Erasmus logically suggested that part of
the “old guard”
will not make it to this deadline.
As a reminder, eighteen of the 33 Springboks titled last October in France were 30 years old or over.
This is the case of captain Siya Kolisi, 33 years old next June and captain of the Boks since 2018.
The third-row wing (83 selections since 2013, 3rd in the 2015 World Cup) now plays in France, at Racing 92 – he played 12 matches in all competitions, had finger surgery on March 6, he will be absent until 'at the beginning of April - and he should lose the armband.
“Siya is certainly still playing some of his best rugby, but I prefer my captain to be based in South Africa because it allows for more interactions,”
warned Erasmus.
This is a unique situation.
I think he'll play a few more Test matches, he certainly wants to, but we're not sure it will be as captain."
“We know exactly which players can only last another year and we have given them the task of helping the youngsters before they leave.
»
“We know exactly which players can only last another year and we have given them the task of helping the youngsters before they leave. But it's a challenge to say to a player: 'OK, you have to stop now.' We have guys in their 30s who believe they can win another World Cup."
This will not be the case for most of them and the renewal of the workforce will be gradually launched.
“Building a team means giving young people an opportunity and ensuring that we always progress in depth,” said Rassie Erasmus. By doing this we will lose a few matches, but then we will have the answers when we get to the World Cup in Australia. I’d rather win it than stay with an 85% win rate between the two…”