Duane Vermeulen Springboks retiring
South Africa’s scrum-half Faf de Klerk (2nd R) hugs South Africa’s number 8 Duane Vermeulen (R) as they celebrate winning the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match between England and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on November 2, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Home » Goodbye to these four Springboks?

Goodbye to these four Springboks?

Four senior Springboks likely featured in their final Rugby World Cup when South Africa beat the New Zealand All Blacks.

02-11-23 14:01
Duane Vermeulen Springboks retiring
South Africa’s scrum-half Faf de Klerk (2nd R) hugs South Africa’s number 8 Duane Vermeulen (R) as they celebrate winning the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match between England and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on November 2, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

The Springboks produced a heroic display to beat the All Blacks and claim their fourth Rugby World Cup crown. There are four stars we might never see at the tournament again, but what a ride it’s been.

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Deon Fourie (37), Duane Vermeulen (37), Trevor Nyakane (34) and Willie le Roux (34) were the only players in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup squad born in the 80s. Nobody will ever forget Vermeulen’s virtuoso display in Yokohama four years ago when he won Man of the Match against England in the final. Utility bomb squad member Fourie rolled back the years in Paris to win rugby’s greatest prize, proving to be an invaluable impact option. Similarly, it’s difficult to see Trevor Nyakane or Willie le Roux making a World Cup squad in four years.

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Trevor Nyakane Springboks Rugby World Cup
Trevor Nyakane holds the Web Ellis Cup with his family. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)

EXPERIENCE IS VITAL

This Springboks World Cup winning squad was packed with experience outside of the Golden Oldies. Notably, Bongi Mbinambi, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Faf de Klerk and Kwagga Smith are all the ‘wrong’ side of 30. However, there are no indications that any of them will be hanging up their boots just yet and the majority still have another World Cup in them at least.

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Siya Kolisi Sprinboks
Siya Kolisi holds the Webb Ellis Cup at the OR Tambo International airport in Ekurhuleni on October 31, 2023, after they won the France 2023 Rugby World Cup final match against New Zealand. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP)

Hit up James Freemantle for more insights, news, views and commentary.