Following their World Cup triumph, South Africa are facing an uncertain future as they await the appointment of a new coach and the impending retirement of many of their experienced players.
With no matches scheduled for the next seven months, there is ample time to address these concerns for the team, who secured victory in the Rugby World Cup by narrowly defeating New Zealand 12-11 in the final at the Stade de France.
The first matter to be resolved is the position of Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, who is regarded as the innovative mastermind behind South Africa’s consecutive World Cup victories. Erasmus served as coach during their 2019 triumph in Japan but subsequently assumed a different role, transferring the coaching responsibilities to his longtime deputy Jacques Nienaber.
Nienaber has now departed to join the coaching staff at Irish province Leinster, while former Irish international Felix Jones, another key member of the South African coaching team, will become an assistant coach under Steve Borthwick for England.
Both Nienaber and Jones have garnered praise for their analytical work and attention to detail, and their absence is likely to be keenly felt.
It is anticipated that 37-year-old Duane Vermeulen, who potentially played his final game in Saturday’s final, will join the coaching staff. Vermeulen previously spent time in the coach’s box during the tournament in France.
Although none of the players in the World Cup-winning squad have explicitly mentioned retirement from the sport or ending their international careers, the grueling nature of the World Cup campaign undoubtedly takes its toll. Centre Damian de Allende, aged 31, candidly admitted that he would have to assess his future with the Boks on a yearly basis due to the physical challenges he faces in recovering from intense matches.
“I would love to say yes, but at the moment, I have to take it year by year,” de Allende stated after the team’s victory on Saturday. “I’m getting a little bit older, and my body is taking longer to recover. It was tough this week and last week.”
Out of the 35 players who represented South Africa in this World Cup, 20 are 30 years old or above, and many are expected to retire from international competition as a new four-year cycle commences in preparation for the next World Cup, which will be held in Australia in 2027.
In the near future, South Africa’s schedule includes a home series against Ireland, followed by the annual Rugby Championship featuring Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand. They will conclude the year with a European tour, which includes a test match against England at Twickenham in mid-November.
