Springboks’ new era: How new-look team could line up after 2027 Rugby World Cup
· The South African
The Springboks are currently in their golden era. Meaning, the dawn of a new era is nigh…
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South Africa’s golden era is not just one of the best Bok teams but arguably one of, if not, the greatest rugby teams we have ever seen.
They have won back-to-back Rugby World Cups, back-to-back Rugby Championships (2024 and 2025), gone undefeated on their end-of-year tour for two seasons in a row and handed the All Blacks their biggest home defeat in history. They also won the British & Irish Lions series and beat top teams like France and Ireland away.
However, all good things must come to an end and the reality is that a lot of the current players will not be playing for the Springboks after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. So, let’s take a look at which players are likely to hang up their boots between now and then. As well as, how the next-gen/new era Springboks line up could look.
SPRINGBOK VETERANS ENTER THE LATTER STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS
Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard, Damian de Allende, Makaole Mapimpi amd Willie Le Roux are all entering the latter stages of their careers.
In fact, barring any major injuries. We are unlikely to see much of Nyakane, Koch, De Klerk, Mapimpi and Le Roux this season. This trend or theme because abundantly clear when Rassie Erasmus opted against selecting Koch, Faf, Mapimpi and Le Roux despite injuries to key players in their respective positions.
ALSO READ: SPRINGBOKS NEW ERA | NEXT COACH: 3 CANDIDATES TO REPLACE RASSIE ERASMUS
RASSIE ERASMUS HAS STARTS TO USHER IN THE NEW ERA
With veteran Frans Malherbe ruled out for the season, Erasmus instead opted for the likes for younger more in-form options in Thomas du Toit, Wilco Louw, Gerhard Steenkamp and Jan-Hendrik Wessels. He also called up the likes of Asenathi Ntlabakanye from the Lions and gave Neethling Fouche a call-up to the training squad. This is a clear indication of the Springboks and Rassie’s transitional plans.
Similarly, De Klerk was not called up and featured once off the bench last season espite being fit and available for selection. Cobus Reinach had a sublime year and Grant Williams is no doubt poised to be the next big thing at number nine for the Boks given the fact that Reinach and Faf are unlikely to still be playing after the 2027 rugby world Cup.
Likewise, Springboks legends Mapimpi and Le Roux suffered the same fate during the 2025 Test season. Despite injuries to Kurt-Lee Arendse, Mapimpi was not called up as back-up with Erasmus instead opting for Ethan Hooker and/or Canan Moodie.
Meanwhile, Le Roux did not return to the Springboks mix after being dropped after the Boks tour to New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.
He was dropped for their home Tests against Argentina and did not make the end of year squad despite Fassi being ruled out for the remainder of the year.
ALSO READ: SPRINGBOKS NEW ERA | NEXT CAPTAIN: 3 CANDIDATES TO REPLACE RASSIE ERASMUS
HOW THE SPRINGBOKS COULD LINE UP AFTER 2027 RUGBY WORLD CUP
- Ox Nche
- Malcolm Marx
- Wilco Louw/Thomas du Toit
- Eben Etzebeth/*
- Ruan Nortje
- Marco van Staden
- Elrigh Louw
- Jasper Wiese
- Grant Williams
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
- Kurt-Lee Arendse
- Andre Esterhuizen
- Jesse Kriel/Ethan Hooker/Canan Moodie
- Canan Moodie/Ethan Hooker
- Damian Willemse/ Aphelele Fassi