I know many of us would love to continue to work well into the retirement and then most of us are happy to take early retirements. Which ever way you choose to go is dependent whether you can still perform at the highest level.
Now, just saw an article of Book Harris Celebrating his 40th birthday. I don't know why the Stormers kept him on the books and what they got out of him. I remember when he was at the stormers that he was one of the worst props until Kitshoff and Malherbe showed up to change their pack problems. But now the Stormers have gone backwards in the scrum.
The guy was a poor scrummager and really poor in the loose play. How many times did he show in the flyhallf channel only to be caught behind the game line. I use to pull my hair out watching the guy. Then, he went to Wales and that was the end of it. But when the URC opened up, all of sudden he was back on the books and playing a few games. Was he bad, no, was he great, no. Are there better props. yes.
On top of that they have another useless prop in Ali Vermaak. I don't know how this guy is still there but every season he gets a few games now for the past 15 years and he is absolutely useless.
The only valued pensioner was probably Deon Fourie, now pushing 38 and still getting boo call ups.
So when is too old for our players? I would rather have a some guys when they are young, then ship them off over seas for a few years and bring them back at 26 and then if they want to pack it in, let them go at 31 or just keep them until they are 35. Pay them they money they are worth what the Sharks have done with kolisi, Bongi and Eben.
But why is the Stormers not investing in proper props. The bulls have a good crop of props. Rassie has shown the way how to manage your forward stocks and that you can have 4 to 5 first class props on the park. Pay these guys what they are worth. Unless the scrum is completely gone then maybe not.
But 40, that is crazy, why are the Stormers paying for him not getting the best SA props