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.
Rebuilding also means that our Coaching staff should also get a tune up…..what does it help that our Forward game is good but structured Backline play is missing?? We yet again got thru on our arses…..this type of playing style will not win a WC again….we need to desperately add more skills and play more balanced Rugby….
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.
As much as what I like Mostert, I have to agree these guys are over there best….and yes I get your points that gameplan has to change at ground level to accommodate the growth of Attack play and mindsets of the players involved…. With this Victory under his belt, he is pretty much untouchable…I see Clive Woodward wants Rassie to join England as DOR. He is praised for his unorthodox Thinking and apparently this is exactly what England needs….Who knows what will happen now, as Rassie says that they in no rush to replace Nienhaber.
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 way forward
15. Gelant / Fassi / David Kriel
14/11. Arendse / Nkosi / Tambwe / Zas / Green / Strevino Jacobs
13. Moodie / Am / Xamlashe / Similane / Henco v Wyk / Jurenzo Julius / Marnus Potgieter
12. Willemse / Esterhuizen / Rickus Pretorious / Bruce Sherwood / JVR / James Mollentze
10. Pollard / Libbok / Sacha / Hendrikse / Bosch / Chamberlain
9. Williams / Hendrikse/ Nohamba / Papier/ Jantjies / Burger
1. Ox / Gerhard Steenkamp / Mchunu / Matanzima / Boan Venter
2. Marx / Dweba / Grobelaar / Hugo-Venter / Wessels / Kotze
3. Thomas du Toit / Wilco Louw / Sadie / Klopper
4/5. Jenkins / RG Snyman / Moerat / Ruben v Heerden / Ruan Vermaak / JF v Heerden / Ruben Schoeman / Andre Smith / Schickerling
6/7/8. v Staaden / Buthelezi / Theunissan/ JL du Preez / Ruan Venter / Vincent Tsituka / Jason- Dixon/ Liebenberg/ Roos / Dan du Preez / Wiese / Elrigh Louw / Emmanuel Tsituka / Hanekom
Good list of players….the Question is will Rassie be wise enough now to this time select these inform young guns?? Or will he hang on to some older players ?? I hope he opens the Floodgates on Selection.
Need a combination of experience and new blood
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.
18,512 posts
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