A new Golden era?

Between the years 1931 and 1953 the Springboks had a golden era when they were without question the greatest rugby team on the planet.

Apart from an all-too-brief spell in 1998/9 under Nick Mallett, we've never attained those heights again. Until now . . . maybe . . .

Back-to-back RWCs and the Rugby Championship. I think that's a pretty good case for the dawn of a new Golden era for Springbok rugby.

I know Ireland are ranked higher than us but so what? They've never made the semis of a RWC before. I know what carries more weight when it comes to rankings or trophies.

Just want to add one more thing . . . something that the team of 1998 and the current team of 2024 have in common . . . an inspirational warrior in the #7 jersey.

In 1998 it was the iron man Andre Venter. Tireless, passionate and commited. In 2024 it's Pieter-Steph du Toit. The same adjectives apply. Two legendary Springboks who brought the warrior spirit and never-say-die attitude to all-conquering Springbok teams.

Tell you what, your header is going to fly in the face of the naysayers

Actually yesterday was the most complete game Dud has  played on the flank. For the first time he was a genuine menace at the breakdown, he took some lineouts and tackled well, although he was badly skinned once. His ball carrying remains ordinary at best, but he was very alert to opportunities near the line.

As with so many players he has reached his peak in the early thirties…..partially because of injuries earlier….but he has continued to evolve and is now a complete player. 

Our current team proves the premise that rugby teams reach their peak quite late. Our issue now is to keep the likes of Dud Toit, Etzebeth, Pollard, Ox, Malherbe and Marx fit for as long as possible.

I remember when HM’s 27.5 year old team was criticized….our big test team now averages over 30.

Player ages have very little to do with performances - i depeds onm perfomances how long players should play at test level.

We had a bitter experience wihh 2 elderly players in the Springbok squads for WC's - one was Matfield in 2015 and the other Fourie in 2023,    Both failed badly and players like Du Toit had to play like real champions to pull us through and win the RWC in 2023,   

By the way there were 8 unplayable players in the 2016 squad and the other 23 player had played in every match = something totally unheard of before in WR,   One of the worst of those was Matfield.

The best advice is for players to replace based on sub-standard performances.   At present we have Etzebeth, Du Toit and De Allende in that category of players - even Kolisi are on heir way into the coaching staff and not as playes in 2027/    Pollard is already on a lower test levl performances than he would have been if there were long-term plans to get him into full time playing.    Erasmus knows that and his selections are done on that basis.   

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Mamparapower and Mozzietard are busy spinning it. 

The fact is Du Toit has been excellent for years now. 

I think these two dopes are trying to save face.