Springboks: TWELVE players likely playing in their last Rugby World Cup

These TWELVE Springboks are likely playing in their final Rugby World Cup having served SA Rugby with passion and aplomb for many years.

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Every World Cup is marked with the end of an era to some extend or another.

Legends are birthed whilst others hang up their boots at rugby’s global showpiece. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the full list of Springboks likely playing in their last-ever Rugby World Cups.

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LIST OF SPRINGBOKS LIKELY PLAYING IN THEIR LAST RUGBY WORLD CUP

• Duane Vermeulen (37)
• Deon Fourie (36)
• Vincent Koch (33)
• Bongi Mbonambi (32)
• Frans Malherbe (32)
• Franco Mostert (32)
• Trevor Nyakane (34)
• Cobus Reinach (33)
• Makazole Mapimpi (33)
• Willie le Roux (33)
• Damien de Allende (31)
• Faf de Klerk (31)

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This is quite the list indeed.

A list featuring 11 Rugby World Cup winners, names that will serve long in the memory of every Springboks rugby supporter.

END OF AN ERA FOR SA RUGBY

Vermeulen is likely to retire from international rugby at the end of the Rugby World Cup in France. At 37, he could bow out of what has been an illustrious career at rugby’s greatest showpiece. The ball is in Vermeulen’s court (or hands). In fact, he hinted at retirement recently, as reported on The South African.

Furthermore, Fourie is likely to enter into his first and only World Cup. The iconic Stormers flanker is already 36. He became the oldest Bok debutant at 35 and now he looks set to finally achieve his dream of representing South Africa in France.

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Four years from now, several players will be past 35 which is way passed their prime. Few players are an exception to this rule but seldom is it ever in the backline.

At the next World Cup, Koch will be 37, Mbonambi (36), Malherbe (36), Mostert (36), Nyakane (38), Reinach (37), Mapimpi (37) and Le Roux (37). Therefore, all of these players are unlikely to feature in the USA in 2027.

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Faf will be 35, as will de Allende (35). Therefore, they have the best chances of still playing but neither are likely given the rising talent in their positions and players who will be in their prime then. We have Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse on the rise. Moreover, Rohan Janse van Rensburg has potential to be the next big thing (pun-intended)

All ages are based off of the official SA Rugby website.

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