VIDEO: Changing of the Boks' front row guard
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is busy ‘revamping’ the national team, looking towards the next World Cup, in Australia in 2027.
The one position that desperately needs some ‘fresh legs’ is the front row, with the resources that won back-to-back World Cups severely depleted.
The starting Springbok front row in the 12-11 World Cup Final win over the All Blacks in Paris in October 2023 was Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi and Steven Kitshoff.
Deon Fourie (in the fourth minute for Mbonambi), Ox Nché and Trevor Nyakane came off the bench.
Kitshoff (33) has retired, following neck surgery, 34-year-old Malherbe’s future is uncertain as he continues to battle long-standing back problems, Fourie is recovering from a leg fracture (one of several injuries since 2023, as his 38-year-old body is beginning to feel the strain) and Nyakane (36) is recovering from surgery on an Achilles injury that has also left a question mark over his future.
Of the ‘fit’ players currently in the squad, Vincent Koch (35), Bongi Mbonambi (34), Thomas du Toit (30) and Malcolm Marx (30) are also all getting on in years.
Of the ‘younger’ crowd, Gerhard Steenekamp (28) and Ntuthuko Mchunu (26) are also on the extensive front row injury list and recovering from knee injuries.
“Frans [Malherbe] is unlikely to play this season [year] again,” the Bok coach said, adding: “Trevor [Nyakane] definitely not.”
Erasmus then turned to some of the rookies.
(WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus talks about the number of seasoned front row players unavailable to the national team and how he is evolving the crucial position ahead of the 2027 World Cup.….)
“[We got, 26] in and have been working hard with the Lions, behind the scenes, to get the best out of him.
“Neethling [Fouche] is not a boy anymore, around 30 [32], which is a ‘lekker’ age for a tighthead prop.
“Thomas du Toit is doing well with Bath [in the Premiership and Europe]. He is one of the top players there.
“Wilco [Louw, 30] is doing well [at the Bulls].”
The Bok coach said natural evolution would see the older players retire or just fall off the pace.
“We are not going to change our game,” Erasmus said, adding: “We want to retain that forward power.
“There will be new faces in the front row this year.”
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