EOYT

So we often hear that players are often selected or recalled because they know the system - it forms a big part of Rassie’s narrative

I understand this to a certain extent as test coaches do not have the luxury provincial coaches do in terms of time spent with the players. However it grates me that this very narrative stands in the way of more worthy players not being selected.

A good example of this is the recall of Nico Janse v Rensburg ahead of all the home based younger and more deserving locks like Ruben v Heerden or Ruan Vermaak. He knows the system but he is bog ordinary and 30 years of age.

So now we have the EOYT coming up and an opportunity for Rassie to spend a month with the players and blood new players with the system. A month is more than enough time for new players to learn and buy into the system.

Those older players like Willie, Mapimpi, Reinach, Nyakane, Koch and Mostert need to go and it’s the perfect tour to bring in the likes of some of Jordan Hendrikse, Edwil vd Merwe, Tyrone Green, Jurenzo Julius, Ethan Hooker, David Kriel, Masuku, Nohamba, Papier, vd Bergh, Wilco Louw, Sadie, Jacobs, Mchunu, AH Venter, Dweba, Grobelaar, Jason Jenkins, Ruben v Heerden, Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Rahl, Ludwig, Buthelezi , Hanekom, Vincent Tsituka, Ruan Venter, Horn, Gumede, Dayamani and Emmanuel Tsituka

The lucky ones already on board are Fassi, Moodie, Sacha, Jayden Hendrikse, Williams, Steenkamp, Wessels, Thomas, Nortje, Moerat, BJ Dixon, Roos and Elrigh Louw

The incumbents are Kolbe, Arendse, Am, Kriel, de Allende, Esterhuizen, Willemse, Pollard, Libbok, Faf, Kitshoff, Ox, Marx, Bongi, Malherbe, Eben, RG, Lood, Kolisi, Kwagga, PSDT and Wiese.

We need a mix of the new, the lucky ones and the obvious incumbents on this tour

Although this will be a positive step forward, it’s highly unlikely that Rassie will drop those players.

You can clearly see how he talks at interviews and articles, that he is phasing these players out slowly.

Talks of Willie getting his 100 caps and i am sure Franco will also get his proper send off.

My opinion it will be minimal and not a bigger group.

Who knows how long Rassie will still play with the old, but i think he reckons that his best chances of winning the EOYT, will be with the older incumbents.

Maybe not a Genius after all?

He’s a rugby genius alright with an unmatched record - he is just not a perfect genius unfortunately

Mpower

There is only one method to apply to aging of players namely -

*    players who continue to perform on high level and being regarde by experts as th best player in the world in the positions are irreplacable and remain so until their performancs deteriorate; and

*    all  other players are subject to performansess evaluation by real experts and with due regard to performances  of players who qualify for promotion.

Any other method is through  special camps and  attending special development programs organised by SA Rugby and  Erasmus  

So let is look at the fact that the first category the number of  is probably  irreplaceable will be about 6 playes of the squad of 33 That leace 27 players for normal election,   I would think of those 27 players -  14 players are exing players and 13 newbies are going to be oriomoted.

Not touring with a dirt tracker midweek team reduces the chance of testing a larger squad of players. 

Player Age (Approx.) Comments

Willie le Roux    Fullback 35
He will not make the next World Cup. Rassie says he will let him get to 100 Bok Tests. Useful squad player

Cobus Reinach Scrumhalf 34
There is no reason to not bring in younger latent in 2025. He should not even be on this tour. Needs to retire

Vincent Koch       Prop 34  
He needs to retire after the end of the year tour. 

Frans Malherbe Prop 33
He could possibly make the World Cup, but unlikely.  He needs to be a squad player, with less starting time. 

Siya Kolisi Loose forward 33
He could possibly make the World Cup, but unlikely. 

Bongi Mbonambi Hooker 33
He needs to be phased out over the next year or two.

Makazole Mapimpi     Wing 33
Needs to retire. No chance of having a 36-year-old wing in the World Cup

Eben Etzebeth    Lock 32
He might make it, but he needs to be managed with less game time. 

Pieter-Steph du Toit Loose forward 32
Needs to be managed to prolong his career to make the next World Cup

Damian de Allende Centre 32
Maybe he will make the next World Cup, but surely by then he will not be playing as well as he is now

Kwagga Smith Loose forward 31
A useful squad player,  but his form has dipped a bit. Will he still have the pace in 2027

Handre Pollard Flyhalf 30
I don’t think he will make the next World Cup. He is excellent in tight games with no space, but he lacks play-making ability when the game opens up

Malcolm Marx Hooker 30
Needs to be managed and not overplayed

Lukhanyo Am Centre 30
His form has been average since returning after lengthy injury spells

Jesse Kriel Centre 30
Maybe he will make the next World Cup, but surely by then he will not be playing as well as he is now

Cheslin Kolbe Wing 30
Will he have the pace to play in the next World Cup? It already seems that he is not as fast over 50 metres as he was

Add Mostert, Lood, Nyakane, Faf, Kitshoff, Kleyn and Esterhuizen who are 30 plus