As the Springbok side enters a new four-year cycle we take a look at three players who will be determined to prove that age is just a number.
The Springbok squad has won two World Cup championships, a British & Irish Lions series, and one Rugby Championship between 2019 and 2023.
The Boks’ four-year run of extraordinary success has solidified their place as maybe the greatest “Cup” squad in history.
But with several players already entering their later years of play and Duane Vermeulen having declared his retirement, there will definitely be a changing of the guard during the upcoming four-year cycle.
That being said, a few veterans will undoubtedly wish to demonstrate that they are not yet ready to be retired.
SPRINGBOK VETERANS WHO ARE FAR FROM DONE
Deon Fourie
The Stormers veteran will turn 38 years old in September, and there was some assumption that his valuable engagement at the 2023 Rugby World Cup would be his last contribution with the Springboks.
Nevertheless, Fourie still defies age stereotypes, having started this season with some impressive performances for the Stormers.
Fourie has every reason to think he might keep adding to his 13 Test caps if he can continue to play at this level.
Willie le Roux
The veteran fullback is now 34 years old, but he appears to have a new lease on his rugby life after joining up with the Bulls after the World Cup.
Le Roux has seen his role with the Springboks change in recent times, with Damian Willemse now the first-choice No 15, but that should not diminish the importance of the veteran’s value.
Le Roux still has plenty to offer the Boks as an elder statesman who is the ultimate team man, an extraordinary try creator, and someone who is as competitive and passionate about the Springbok badge as you can get.
Trevor Nyakane
Few Springbok players enjoy the same level of popularity as the 34-year-old prop sensation.
Even though he can be in his mid-30s, a lot of elite prop makers succeed at this age by having mastered all the “dark arts” of the scrum process.
As a “swing” prop who can play at tighthead or loosehead, Nyakane is one of those guys whose versatility will still be very valuable to the Springboks.
