Six Springboks whose stocks have declined

The Springboks’ leadership has changed this season, and some of their more seasoned players have started to fade into the background.

in the Springboks Some elder players have unavoidably started to make room, to differing degrees, for younger players as the Springboks prepare for the 2027 World Cup.

The Springbok coaches are well aware that some seniors need to be balanced with a younger group, and it goes without saying that this has affected some more than others. Here, we examine six Springboks who have started to lose their prominence.

Six Springboks who have lost some ground

Lukhanyo Am

Am, who was once the pillar of the Springbok midfield, has recently struggled with fitness and form. Additionally, Jesse Kriel has emerged as one of the Springboks’ most reliable players, and Canan Moodie has recently shown promise after being placed closer to the action at 13. Am should not be written off just yet because he is still only 31 years old.

Despite spending the entire season in the Springbok camp, the two-time World Cup winner has only made two appearances as a substitute. Koch, who turns 36 in March, has naturally seen a big role shift this season due to the ongoing success of Wilco Louw and Thomas du Toit.

Faf de Klerk

De Klerk has struggled with an injury this season, but in his absence, Cobus Reinach, who is 35 years old and a relative veteran, has put in some outstanding performances, and Morne van den Berg and Grant Williams have had a significant impact.

Mapimpi Makazole

There is no doubt that the 35-year-old will not be considered for the upcoming World Cup, and it has been decided to pass the torch to Edwill van der Merwe, who has shown impressive play whenever he has been able, and young Ethan Hooker. Not to be overlooked is Kurt-Lee Arendse’s impending return from injury.

Bongi Mbonambi

Mbonambi has occasionally appeared to be a shell of his former self, as other veteran players have also started to struggle a little with form. Although Mbonambi, who will shortly turn 35, shouldn’t be disqualified from consideration in the lead-up to the World Cup, Malcolm Marx’s backups, such as Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Marnus van der Merwe, have truly excelled.

Willie le Roux

Earlier this season, Le Roux earned 100 caps for the Springboks, but the 36-year-old was recently cut from the team and is now back with the Bulls. Given the choices at fullback provided by Aphelele Fassi, Damian Willemse, and even Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, it does appear that he is nearing the end of his career at the Test level.