EXPERIENCE TO THE FORE Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has weighed in on the age debate in the Springbok squad. Picture: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
It’s difficult to dispute that the Springboks have been the dominant force in world rugby for the last six years, and the current squad features a number of players that have been around the block.
Having won successive Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, players like Eben Etzebeth and Deon Fourie can be fondly referred to as veterans in the Bok squad.
Etzebeth, 33, and Fourie at 38 are both by all accounts still playing some of their best rugby.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says that if players are still producing the goods, their age doesn’t matter much.
“As coaches, we don’t have the right to tell a player he’s getting old and can’t play for the Springboks,” Stick told SportsBoom.com.
“As long as a player is still performing, fit, and able to give us the numbers we want on the field, we won’t look at age. You might look at Eben’s age, but when it comes to his physique and the way he plays, he is someone who can give us 80 minutes on the field.”
As for Fourie, Stick said the player was still very much in their plans.
“Deon is performing incredibly well for the Stormers, and as long as he’s doing that, we won’t ignore him, even if he’s outplaying players much younger than him.”
The Springboks have a busy schedule in 2025, and the team is currently in an alignment camp in Cape Town. The Boks will first be in action in June with two Tests against a touring Italy, before welcoming Georgia to Nelspruit in July.
In August, the Springboks will again play hosts, this time in two Tests against Australia in the Rugby Championship.