The list of potential retirees from Springbok Rugby

The selection of the squad by Meyer was severely criticized for inclusion of a number of players allegedly way past their ebst and for having very little playing time during the past year.   None of the senior players in that category - bar Vermeulen - really showed much during the tournament and it is clear that some should never have been in the squad at all.   Some played virtually no rugby because of persistent injuries putting a heavy work load on the remaining players.
It would have be a real relieve for the public at large if some players leave international rugby - but of the following potential list  only two (highlighted)  will really be missed in future :-
*    Zane Kirchner*    Bryan Habana
*    Morne Steyn*    Fourie du Preez*    Ruan Pienaar*    Schalk Burger *    Willem Alberts*    Victor Matfield*    Jannie du Plessis*    Schalk Brits
Even if they do not end up announcing their retirement and remain in contention for selection - none should be selected in future,
Lets be honest and say even though most of them overstayed their welcome in the Springbok team - thanks for what you did in the past in the interest of Springbok rugby.  We wish you all well for the future.   

 Mike u left out Mozzie.

Little point in continuing with any of those players....we have far better youngsters on board.
Add Louw and Mvovo 

All of those players should retire. Their should be a major clearout after each world cup. 
Pretty much any player over 29 should be cut after the world cup. If a player is younger than 30 he may be in contention for the next world cup. 

Their will be new talent - but not sure anyone can lay claim to being better until they prove it test level- or at least SuperXV level with man of the match performances.  Habana used to be the highest try scorer in SuperXV at the Bulls- who are not exactly the most expansive game.

 SB
I agree with you on the issue of the age of players and feel that even players like Louw and even Vermeulen would be around for another year or two - but will be gone by 2019,
Dave has a point though.  Looking at the present squad - there were some real problem cases with their selection.  Letsw look at the following:-
Zane Kirchner
Played in the Japan game and really showed noting of substance.  Was dropped after that and never made even a bench appearance after that game.  What was he doing in the sqiuad. 
Bryan Habana

I always was a Habana supporter but there is no way that Habana at present is the same player he used to be.   During the present WC he looked at best spotty in matches.   The problem is there is no obvious replacement and we are in a parlous condition as to replacements of wings.   Morne Steyn
Steyn played for `15 minutes from the bench in one game.  That was his total contribution to the WC.   Why was he in the squad at all?  He always was a very limited flyhalf with a very food kicking at goal really was the only contribution he was capable of.   The rest of the game showed a serious downward trend since June 2014 and he was a bad failure in the last three tests he played in in 2014.
Fourie du Preez

Although a great player in the past - his contributions in the tests he played in since 2013 can at best be described as average in virtually all tests.  He showed some class in 2013  in the home test against  Australia and the away test against Wales that year.   In June 2014 - his last test before the WC - he showed very little of substance.  His service was accurate and his decision-making was acceptable - the rest of his game bog ordinary.   After no games since June 2014 Du Preez was included in the WC squad - purely on reputation.  After the Japan fiasco he was hailed as the great saviour of Springbok rugby in the series.  He was better than Pienaar - but can one really say he was a house on fire?   He started off well against Samoa and was very limited in the rest of his games.  matter of fact his decision-making in the last two tests was sub-standard leading to an unworkable game plan.   His performance in the semi was sub-standard.  
Ruan Pienaar

Pienaar was in tests before the WC very limited in performance.   He was a major reason for the failure against Japan and since that test he played only from the bench.  Because if the injury to  Du Preez he will start tonight.  His selection to the squad was a major mistake by Meyer.  
Schalk Burger 
This was one of the older players who was definitely a good WC squad selection.  He is a very hard worker - but the way he was used in the WV was totally ineffective and he made errors as a crashball player and lost ball possession too frequently.  Burger woiuld have been a very good impact player - ie he should be on the bench - but Meyer fouled up his loosies selections badly - with especially Alberts being a serious negative.   On the whole he was ineffective in the WC.       
Willem Alberts
He was supposed to be selected because of the heavy  NH playing conditions.  Slow and very low productive his selection was a joke in bad taste.  He played only in 3 matches since June 2014 and was a failure in all three matches.  He always was over-weight and suffered from constant leg injuries,  During the WC there was ample reason to send him home - he was constantly injured.  He played in three matches from the bench and was bog ordinary.   Should never have been near the squad in any event.
Victor Matfield

Acciording to his admirers he is a star - but his record was nothing to be proud about.  Before the WC he played in 12 tests since his return from retirement - of which the Springboks lost in 6  matches.   His contribution in games was minimal and he definitely weakened the Tight 5 of the Springboks.  In the WC he was in the Japan debacle and was injured in the next match against Samoa after a bog ordinary performance.  No further appearances in matches before being on the bench in the play-offs - where his appearance in the semi was a godsend for the AB's - he was very, very poor.  His selection in essence was a serious mistake made by Meyer.          
Jannie du Plessis
Despite protestations to the contrary - Jannies's scrumming deterirorated badly over the last yearand he always was a serious liability outside of scrumming.  After the Japan fiasco and some serious deficiencies he got injured ad was replaced by Malherbe and the improvement in the  Springbok scrumming showed an immediate improvement.   Malherbe is also a much better player outside of scrumming.   
Schalk Brits
What was he doing in the WC squad?
The above indicates that there are indeed - other than in the case of Habana better players in SA at present than those listed above.
Incidentally while typing this I listened to a panel discussion on TV and two interesting comments were made.  Mitchell said that Meyer over-emphasized the importance of Du Preez in the WC campaign - his performances did not match the praise.  Kempson referred to the scrumming and said that Jannie should never have started in any of the WC games - Malherbe was much better.

Schalk Brits should never have been chosen and neither should Pienaar. Only exceptional players that are overseas should be choose,

Yep the good players are going....damn few left....damn few arriving. Only two in fact, Pollard and Etzebeth. The next four years look challenging.

 Klop Sharkbok, but I'll only include em in RWC year .... like the Aussies with Mitchell & Giteau .

 Mozart
Other than Burger and Habana what good have the rest done in tests playing for South Africa over the past two years?   Be honest and admit that most players on that list of potential retirees have been selected on reputation and has done near to bugger-all to justify their selection.   
There is only a replacement problem on the wings and to a lesser extent at scrummie.  There are better players in all other positions than those listed above.  Meyer ignored those players and stuck with the lot that ultimately let SA down over the past year.  I for one think that most of the above overstayed their welcome and should in fact have been replaced over the last two years.      

 We need a Habana replacement and up until we find him, we better hope habs are willing to continue. Not too worried about the rest, although JP hasn't actually been replaced either. We will be fine with the forwards....the backs are in shambles.