Springbok Rebuild Phase for 2027 - List of Retirees

The Springboks, the defending World Champions will need to start phasing players out, with 2027 in mind. Usually after a World Cup, some players will retire right away, while others will be phased out in the first or second year of a World Cup to help pass the mantle to the next generation. (E.g. a player with 100 caps etc)

The remainder could still be good enough in the next World Cup- however a good portion of those will be in their 30's, and perhaps past their best after another 4 years of rugby. Those who need to retire now or soon for sure are bolded. Those that are 50/50 are underlined.

Ox Nche: 28  -
He started late, so he should make the next World Cup easily.

Steven Kitshoff - 31
I think he is past his best, and needs to be phased out in 1 year- or even consider retiring from international rugby

Vincent Koch -33

He is playing his best rugby, but at 33 he needs to be phased out in 1-2 years - or consider retiring right away.

Frans Malherbe -33
Needs to retire right away

Trevor Nyakane -34
Needs to retire right away

Bongi Mbonambi -32
Needs to retire or be phased out in year 1-2

Malcolm Marx - 29
Should still be around

Eben Etzebeth- 32
Will be 36 if he makes it to the next World Cup. I doubt he will make it, but having him in the squad to transfer to the next generation is important.

RG Snyman - 28
Will Still be around

Marvin Orie - 30
Doubt he will be around in 4 years.

Jean Kleyn- 30
Doubt he will be around in 4 years.

Marco van Staden- 28 Might still be around

Siya Kolisi- 32

Past his best, no way he will make it to the next World Cup squad. Needs to retire, or be phased out in year 1-2

Pieter-Steph du Toit-31
He might make the next World Cup, but will he still be fast enough to play as a loose forward

Kwagga Smith- 30
Will he be fast enough in 4 years?

Duane Vermeulen-37
Already retired

Jasper Wiese-28
Should still be around

Deon Fourie -37
Already retired

Franco Mostert - 32
Needs to retire or be phased out in years 1-2

Backs:

Faf de Klerk- 32
Needs to retire or be phased out in 1-2 years
------------------------------------- Jaden Hendrikse - 23

Will still be around
---------------------------------- Grant Williams- 26
Will still be around

Cobus Reinach- 33
Needs to retire with immediate effect

Manie Libbok - 26

Should still be around

Damian de Allende - 31
Needs to consider retiring, or be phased out over 1-2 years

Andre Esterhuizen - 29
Should still be around

Jesse Kriel - 29
I doubt he will be around.

Cheslin Kolbe - 30
Will he be fast enough in 4 years?

Kurt-Lee Arendse - 27

Will still be around

Canan Moodie - 21
Needs to make the outside centre position his own.

Pollard- 29
Could make the next World Cup, but will all the rugby injuries become too frequent?

AM- 29
Will he be fast enough in 2027?

Makazole Mapimpi - 33
Needs to retire with immediate effect

Willie Le Roux -34
Needs to retire with immediate effect

Damian Willemse -25
Will still be around

Some names should have been put out to pasture. We need Esterhuizen, we need Williams at 9. Libbok has failed in each and every test. He is not Bok material, and the problems encompass every facet of his game. Wiese needs to start, he was better than Thor all year, in fact, throughout the past 3 years. Steph is not test quality, get rid of him now. It's going to be a big change in the backs. There aren't many clear cut options. Aside from the obvious omissions, which should have never been allowed to be, there aren't many clear options. I don't envy the task of the next puppet, as the Clown Prince has shown no ability to build a team. Ever. 

we need to desperately add more skills and play more balanced Rugby….

We have the skills problem is the players aren't selected to showcase those skills and as for balanced rugby.....not while Erasmus is hanging around.

MPower, attacking play involves all 15 men. There is no such thing as a backline coach coming in and tuning up a few backs and then the attack improves. You cannot change the attack without changing the gameplan at a deeper level. Our pack hasn't been dominant under Erasputin. We carry too many powder puffs and technically flawed players on defence and attack. The gameplan doesn't allow players to be more successful, but Erasputin loves players who are not very good. That's the bottom line. As the core who were left for Erasputin fade away, the team looks more and more of a mess. This year it was throwing spaghetti at a wall all season. He has a big job on his hands, but he is set up nicely to have a sacrificial lamb.  

There's a few I wouldn't mind seeing the back of, Da Allende is high up on the list followed by Willie, Kriel, Kolisi and Mostert.

I wish he would go. What success they have had has been in spite of him. No P16, and it's a very different three years. I think there needs to be an investigation into world rugby. 

The answer is to phase in the new blood.

We still need to win test and try and hang on to the number 1 ranking. 

There are today some very good teams so stating on top will be very hard. Dont be like Jones and throw the youngsters to the dogs.