Springboks: Rassie's Plan for a New Era Unveiled! 

What Erasmus has shown is that it's not about talent alone, it's about having that warrior spirit in you to fight and embrace/perform under pressure

Remember Rassie was Director of Rugby. If someone thinks he’s not looking one World Cup ahead if not two, I’d say they don’t understand the man. He’ll have a potential 50 man squad on his laptop for 2027 as we speak. He’ll know the potential coming through from the SA Schools side to the U21’s and youngsters in the provincial B teams. He’s been years ahead of any coach. I have a feeling too Jacques will be back in a few years, and till then there will be a-lot of back and forth between him and Rassie. Just like players like Deon Fourie, they go by battle stats, not by age. I think you have a lot of it right. I think Faf and Cobus will still be around. Remember Aaron Smith from the AB’s is 35 this month and he was phenomenal. Whitelock from the AB’s is 35 so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sous and Eben around too even if they’re coming off the bench as part of the Bomb Squad. Injured players are coming back quicker than ever before. Handre, Siya an Lukhanyo Am are proof of that.

They going to be “Madala” - I DIED when you said that! South African no matter what 🤣

What about aphiwe dyanti? Rassie said he’d be open to having him back in the boks, he would be in his early 30’s come 2027 and he was absolutely lethal when he got the ball.

Sacha looks really good for the future and especially the next world cup.He's so good at 12 for the stormers, good kicker of the ball as well...I think him and moodie at 12/13 is going to lead us for the next 2-3 world cups no doubt. Evan Roos is a bit too volatile right now, if he gets that in check then he definitely could make that 8 jersey his own.

If players like Kitshoff, Malherbe, Nyakane, Mbonambi, de Allende, Am and Le Roux keep playing in the Springbok jersey for the next 2 years.. I hope they don't swallow up the starting spots for the Springboks over that time and stop younger players from coming through and getting valuable test experience. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel John Smit as good as he was, kinda held back Bismarck du Plessis as he was reaching his prime. Then by the time Bismarck was just starting to hit his straps, Malcom Marx was on the scene. Personally, I don't see Pieter-Steph Du Toit or Eben Etzebeth making it to the next world cup, might be a stretch to far. Malcom Marx and Ox Nche should make it easily enough, given form and injuries.

Hear me out regarding captaincy- Handré Pollard speaks to the nation in a different way than Siya, but as a black South African I witnessed his populararity among the whole nation ( and I mention this because this is a critical part of nation building etc) We want a likable which Handré has on the critical end great captain Handré has massive captaincy throughout his rugby career, he’s mindset and reading of the game will be phenomenal. A lot to look out for 😀🇿🇦

The beauty of SA is that we can base our fitness camps in the deserts of the Northern Cape to get ready for that Ozzie sun 🌞

I could see Cheslin being the next captain as well. He's very well spoken 😊 and wears the jersey with pride

The interesting point is how does Rassie bring younger players into the team and give them enough caps before next world cup. Boks play roughly 12 to 14 games per year so across the next 48 games he needs to balance the current team for consistency whilst introducing newer players so newer players have 20 to 30 caps going into world cup. Building new combinations and consistency with these combinations and trying to maintain competitive winning rugby will be damn hard. Thankfully Rassie is the man for that.

Hey Bru - great content and I think 36 year old double WC winners should be in the squad for 2027 - Rassie and team will be monitoring so many stats about each player and I have seen how Rassie controls minutes played so that each player is under done ito minutes but not under done ito intensity which is a tricky bit of player management but they have great experience doing this type of player management and I expect Rassie and team will be tweaking the data from new aspects that they have become aware of so that new frontiers can be brought into the mix - you have great content for the next 4 years Bru - and I will be watching every edition - thank you and much appreciated..

You should make a video on the upcoming talents who could possibly full those spots now for the next world cup!❤

i used to think how we would replace Bakkies and Madfield and we got Eban, so there is talent.

Good thoughts Kenneth. It might be true that with such a set and strong forward pack there was no incentive for so called fringe players to up their game because there was next to no chance of making the squad. Now with so many having to step aside the places are up for grabs and those fringe players will become more obvious selections over the next few years. Anyways. Notwithstanding the leftover core SA does need a new core to be created and this also means a new group that will have to build on the progress the Bokke have made over the last 2 world cups. Exciting times indeed. A great rugby playing nation with a great feeder system. Surely we have the raw talent that Rassie and Co can develop

Kolbe will be 34, but apart from that I take your point. What I do think Rassie will do in the near future is keep as many old heads in the squad as possible to help blood the newbies. We need guys like Vermeleun mentoring the up-and-coming. They don't even have to play to be involved by (e.g.) acting as a vice coach. If Le Roux is as quick to the drop as you say he is, he'd be ideal as a mentor/coach.

We need to blood new players as early as possible so that players can gain experience, we need Tyrone Green, Evan Roos,Elrigh Louw, Ruan Venter, Quan Horn ,Feinburg-Mngomezulu,Jean luc Du Preeze,Johann Grobblaar, Ruan Nortje,Tomas Du Toit,Hacjivah Dayimani, Augustos,Henco Van Wyk,Edwil Van Der Merwe , Frankie Horne and the list goes on and on

Gerhard Steenkamp, Johan Grobelaar, Evan Roos, Mchunuand Cameron Hanekom just to name a few will be blood in and will become superstars. I'm not too worried

What about at hooker 2 guys who have been previously brought into the Springbok fold: - Johan Grobbelaar (Hooker) - Gerhard Steenekamp (Prop)

Threepeat was really on the cards for the All Blacks in 2019 - it took an amazing game from England to beat them. We have a big opportunity in 2027 - need to keep our stability within the organisation and refresh our depth in the wider squad.

Whenever he says "Howzit bru!" and lifts his arms, I do the same.

Never thought I’d say this but I worry the most for the boks in the lock department. I doubt mostert, de jäger or orie will make the next World Cup. I’m 50/50 if etzebeth will either and same with snyman who seems riddled with injuries. Anyone have any suggestions for new young locks that maybe coming through ?

I think Rassie should get Juarno Augustus , hes a Quality player proved that at the Stormers he would be a great loose forward

South African have a great developing programme .... the craven weeks , varisty cups under 20 I love the flyhalve of this Stormers ...

1. Thomas du toit 2. Malcom Marx 3. Wilco Louw 4. R.G snyman 5. Jean Kleyn 6. Hacjivah Dayimani 7. Evan Roos 8. Jasper Wiese 9. Grant Williams 10. Manie Libbok 11. Kurt Lee Arendse 12. Daniel du Plessis 13. Canan Moodie 14. Angelo Davids 15. Damian Willemse

I love this idea of looking at the other team's ages. Will be good to compare

Esterhuizen + Moodie will be an interesting combo in the Centre channels

Rassie view is that after Bongi, he will evolve the hooker position. Springbok hooker must be able to Jakkal not only throwing, scrum and overall play. That's why he transformed Marco to an Hook. He is always trying to evolve the game.

I would like for the Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions and Sharks fans to pipe in here as well (as well as more Stormers fans). But here are 5 young guys I would pick from the Stormers to earmark for the next RWC. 1) Neethling Fouche. When Frans isn't scrumming, this guy steps up, and the Stormers hardly seem to lose much at TH. He was brilliant for Maties, and being the understudy to SA's best ever tighthead is not a bad thing. 2) Ben Jason-Dixon. The guy can play 4 and 7, and so fits the mold of Juan Smith and PSDT who went from lock to flank. Very athletic, has a high work rate, jumps well in the lineout and makes the tackles. Might need to add a bit more abrasiveness to his game, but at 25 years old that may still come. 3) Dan Du Plessis. Def not the strong ball carrier like DDA or Esterhuizen, and much more in the mold of Jean De Villiers. He had an absolute breakout season in 22/23, and seems to be missed by the Stormers on attack now. He can also tackle the bark off a tree. 4) Sacha Feinberg Mnogumezulu. Red hot talent, but one of those players who can make as many mistakes as the things he does things well. His ability to play all over the backline though makes him a must have in any squad though and with age he will do improve. 5) Lionel Zas. URC top try scorer in the inaugural season, and had an immediate impact when he returned from a long term injury in the second season. As a wing he is a full package, though he does rely a lot on his strength. Nothing wrong with that though. (Left out players who have already had call ups or caps).

I followed Jan Hendrik Wessels in school rugby. Played prop, moved to hooker. I thought he might be next in line to join / replace Malcom. Will see how he performs this year, he was so impressive in school days. What's important to the Boks is to have a few experienced heads mixed in the squad and developing depth. I don't know who the new props will be, def something to look out for, good point🤔 Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu is who you mentioned -flyhalf Also Boogeyman (Julius Jurenzo) at centre, still very young. Another possible centre, weapon X (Henco van Wyk) Another few names I can't think of now who have had an impressive game or 2.

Willie le Roux has the second most assists in the history of the Game... he is an exceptional player.

Agree with you because the next RWC competition will have more matches... still sad 😭 to let these heroes go. But their names are in the SA-rugby history books & on the SA tongues 🏆🏆🏆🏆

I have a feeling that Rassie will take the Boks to a new level of rugby..look for the best attacking team in history!

Great video - listening from London UK [was on the bus home] Super as always. I'm defo still in the fever..listening to anthem and world cup tunes all week! lol

new names i would love to see for bok future, Jan Hendrik Wessels as a loose head, Andre Hugo Venter as one of the hookers, Connor Evans will be one of the locks, Phepsi Buthelezi, Celimpilo Gumede, Erleigh Louw and Roos as our loose forwards(Ruan Venter and Hanekom). Hendrikse and Nohamba as our main 9s, Mngomezulu and Hendrikse as 10s(Pollard 3rd choice), Willemse and Esterhuizen at inside centre, Henco van Wyk/Am outside centre, back 3 Moodie,David and Richard Kriel, Fassi, Kolbe

Forget Roos.. Good as he is, he is simply not Springbok material unless he has the brains to understand the philosophy and cultivate the conviction within himself that the team’s success and subsequent acknowledgment from the nation as a whole is greater than his own ego and “rugby fame” that he himself is yearning for.. Once that understanding kicks in.. Then and then only will Rassie consider him.. He might be the best 8 in the country.. but he has no business in the Springbok team with his current “I’m the best” attitude.. I

Rassie is giving World Rugby officials a heck of a headache and sleepless nights.

RAZOR V ERASMUS, two great rugby minds. The next 4 years are going to fascinating, you got Rassie going for a Hatrick of world cups and razor looking to restore the ABs back to the most feared rugby team on earth. Razor is the man to stop springbok domination.

How hot will Australia be?Might have to deliiberately drop the average age.You are leaving out a number of young and up and coming players of 26-28 by that time.

We might have a bit of a problem with very special talent like Etsebeth, Marx, Pollard coming through the next fiew years. Our current young players are the ones coming through that were in school during the Super Rugby phase. When games were played on Fri and Sat mornings. Those that were either in school on Fridays or at school events on Satrudays and couldnt follow it, thus did not become fans of Super Rugby or rugby in general. I've heard many people say their kids, young cousins, friends kids etc didnt watch rugby back then and thus didnt have interest to play rugby in school when they could chose a sport a few years back. You already see the signs re SA u19 and 20 doing worse than their predecessors at the WC and school rugby the past 4 years. The young ones that are now inspired by URC and the current Springboks will only reach eligibility in 4 to 8 years time. But then again I've followed club rugby the past 3 years and there is an increase in interest there. So we might need to give more attention to varsity and club leagues the next 4 years and help them to develop a successful system to bring through special, once-in-a-decade talent.

I think you will find the reason the guys are playing older is simply lifestyle. Most are also low carb which also reduces inflammation everyday which obviously helps recovery that will reflect in their time to play at their best for longer than before

Eben for springbok captain ...

Eben has to make it to the next one

I still cant believe the ages of some of these guys. I feel like an old aunty because im 39..but i feel i can call some of them uncle lol

Howzit Bru! Awesome to see you again! Feel your depression pain😂

Can you imagine having a 3peat and 5 x RWCs in the bag? I would be very happy, but more so, I'd be thrilled for *RASSIE* !

Props have a longer career. Might see Kitsie in 2027. Jason Leonard, WC winning England prop was 35 when he won it.

Next captain, Pollard .

Rassies should start the rebuild cos eben,psd,kolisi,monabi wont have the steam left

Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw,Hanekom,Wessels,Frankie Horn……….plenty of exceptional talent

Fraid ta say u gonna have to get rid of them all,except for Eben Pieter Steph,Ox,Malcolm and that's it!As good as Kolbe is,in key ,fast,positions need to b in the 23-27 year range!Pace favours youth,period!Gl Rassie u gonna need it! 👇 BOKKE FOR LIFE 🏈🏈🏈🏈🏆🏆🏆🏆💯💯💯💯🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

Eban,pieter steph,siya,monambi ,faf four years from now they won't be the same

Australia is the exact opposite of European field conditions. Running rugby on fast fields will be the norm in 2027. Boks will need to mix the squad up with more mobile forwards.

With the new scrum laws no need for specialist front row !

The quality of your content is always great. Looking forward to the next 4 years

& We're 4-0 in the Finals! 100% win rate in the final.

Howzit mabruhhh......lekka hearing your voice again....Rassie and the threepeat....WOW!!!! No resources are gonna be spared, that much is certain....Exciting times for ZA Rugby....you failed to mention that we won all our cups bar the 1st one, away from home (NZ got 2x home wins out of their 3x cups)....and we have 2x 3rd places too; where we defeated NZ in one of them...so in World Cup Finals we got 2x gold and 1x bronze on them kiwis, LOL....that kind of success ratio is ridiculous!!! The travel and jetlag travelling to oz is ridiculous...our guys will be there weeks ahead of time and will be properly acclimatised, trust me... This world cup just past was meant to be ours, but for late vote buying and shenanigans, so it is actually lekka we eliminated France and kept our cup....

Thanks for this, bru. For the whole day after winning the world cup, I was obsessing over our build up towards the next world cup..so now you've at least given a base or a look through the window on what we'll need going forward. We need to be ready & cement our dominance in world rugby. Thanks my bru💪🏾🇿🇦. ("Don't be a doos"😂) caught that as I was finishing up my last sentence😅

Talking too much kak - I didnt even get past 1:47

Lily Bester and Ethan Bester is two talents to look out for

Looking at the young guys coming up for teams like Ireland and England and the game they're playing, I think we'll need to make a massive shift. We need someone who can read this and react to it. I like Rassie very much but I think he might get stuck in a rut when it comes to this.

HACJIVAH DAYIMANI! What a talent speed power and finesse. Funny enough although it wouldn’t appear so extremely humble. I believe he is as useful as kwagga being he can play any position.

Francke Horn moet verseker in die volgende springbokspan

Baie mooi opgesom...en uiteen gesit...good job..❤..well done..🎉

Interesting chat. In most RWC cycles there are guys that pop out from nowhere. I haven't seen the next Eben, PSDT, Marx but I have to believe they are out there. I like this Rahl kid at the Sharks but not quite the enforcer type. Ruan Venter will play for the Boks, likely at 7? Loose forwards we'll always have but props we also need the next gen to come through hard. Wings will come through... Consider KLA was playing Varsity Cup for UWC in 2019.

Leaving Lukhanyo Am out of that group is crazy. He just needs to manage himself well

I have actually began following Rugby religious since the World Cup and I must say it is actually a great sport when you understand it. The World Cup really got me to dive in and enjoy the sport. 2019 was different course was chowing back then didn’t have time😅

Eesh Bru, we also miss the RWC but we here so Ja.. 2027 LET'S GO BACK TO BACK TO BACK! BOKKE!!!

Why, in my humble opinion, is Willemse thought of so highly? He appears to me to have too many weaknesses! One of them being a glory boy who plays out of position and allows opposition wings to score from the wide-throw passes?

Thanks for the uber-detailed video: in my opinion the best available on the Boks future. You just gained my subscription Bru!!

Been waiting for a video like this. Recipe means we need to keep at least 2 inspirational WC winners for the youngsters to look up to. But who? Siya? Eben? PSDT? What worries me is that the Boks will lose a lot of games in their transition. I kind of wanted them to go through a period where they pushed for the win record, but that screws your transition

An interesting exercise would be to take that retiring list and do as much of a one for one swap out as possible. So instead of swapping out a Duane for someone like Dayimani you try your best to swap him for someone a very similar height, build and play style, and do it in every position. In that way you get consistency in the Bok camp and game plan. I don't think it's actually possible to do this, and it isn't by any means the best way to do it, or how Rassie should go about it, but it would be an interesting thing to do.

Jeff Wilson is your doppelganger Bru...The ex-pat South Africans living in Australia can reignite their patriotism....what a treat for them!!!

Great video dude! Can you please do one on which SA rising stars you think will be at the next World Cup?

Excellent!!! We won't be dose, for sure. 😂👍 Supporting the Bokke all the way. Be they old or be they young.

Thanks for the clarification of Willie's value to the team. I have repeatedly asked and never got any answer before today. I have zero appreciation for him and what I could not grasp about the role you mentioned. I just saw all the handling errors...

You could have the most talented players in the world-if you don't have a coach talented enough to utilise that talent, you're going to chase up and unders and defending the whole time, 4 years from now.

Naas Botha now also started a Podcast. In his rugby days he was on his way to Loftus when he picked up a hiker playing lightly with a rugbyball in his hands. As they took off Naas asked the hiker do you know who I am. Yes said the hiker but do you know who I am. I am Jannie Claassens your no.12 - you have never ever seen me with a rugby ball in my hands hey !!!

Very interesting discussion I would like to suggest that one should be concentrating on gradually blooding new talent? The last thing we need is for potentially talented youngsters becoming discouraged and deciding to try ply their trade for other countries? Totally agree with your comment on Willie le Roux, he has been a hugely under rated play maker for the Boks

Post jol depression is a real thing😅

howzit BRU, damn interesting pod cast. We will have experienced players come 27, and the upcoming younger guys will give us the balance we have in 2023. LOL imagine we pull off 3 in a row. the snot n traane all over the world hahahh

Howsit broer. Amazing show as always. I am loving the whole blue colour in your studio.

Great interview mate , thoroughly enjoyed your analysis 💥👌🏽

These are some nice stats to look at Bru. I know they've mentioned before that they were monitoring a number of players locally and in other leagues. So we don't have a view on the full group they were keeping their eyes on. They might spring a few surprises like Jean Kleyn. The stats for the other teams will be interesting.

Excellent breakdown Bru. I was thinking how we can maintain this momentum entering another cycle. It was absolutely vital that we kept Rassie on because the rest of the world will be catching up to us in the way they manage squads and tactics.

France Mostert could still be there and Lood can recover maybe. Great Backup to Kleyn and RG at lock.

Howsit bru good to see you again. Man, ive still got the world cup withdrawal symptoms

They don't want to give us to host, cool we just going to keep taking them the only way we know how.

100%. On a side note, a lot of people don't realize that Rassie actually re invented the SA youth system. He single handedly re built SARU to the powerhouse and diversity in equality to quality it is today. He also invented the IT program a decade ago for rugby tactics and stats that all teams use to this day! He goes way beyond just a rugby "coach" or director. That man is a national...no, a GLOBAL legend of the sport. Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie! But what we do know, is Rassie knows exactly what hes doing. Regarding the aging Bokke, let's not forget either that the legend that is OS DU RANDT won us the 2007 world cup while herding cattle! Lol. Its 2024..athletes no longer retire at 33. Christiano Ronaldo is 40 years old with knee caps of a 20 year old. Sports has changed globally as well.

You should do one on upcoming boks who can fill some roles. It maybe too early but you may be onto something

There are many players putting their hands up from the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls Lions, etc. in the next 4 years

Now that you mention it - a 3 peat would be absolutely fantastic. We'd be at the absolute pinnacle of world rugby. 5 time rugby world champions and a 3 peat. Wow.

Who would you have as your blinside flanker (our open side flanker here in England). My choice would probably be Marco van Staden although outside of him South Africa don’t seem to have too many turnover specialists. You have an abundance of open sides (blindside in England) like Elrigh Louw, Ruan Venter, Dayimani, even Reinhardt Ludwig and Evan Roos can play there. However, I can’t see too many replacements for Siya

Fourie has shown age is a number.

Great analysis bro. Pity I came across the channel after the RWC!

in afrikaans they say "Bok koors"

AI reminded me that without Duane and Deon, if ALL the 2023 players are available in 2027, the average age will be 33 years; not old age

I think they'll keep a few forwards in the team, even just for the bomb-squad. You can't replace experience.

Awesome video. Been mulling over this during my post world cup depression. Agree with your squad to carry over. I think Eben could reinvent himself as a bomb squad member. Start less games but come of the bench to make an impact and add composure.Also think Lukhanyo would be desperate to make it having missed out on playing in 2023. For the new guys to break in I think the following guys have been on the fringes and will be in with a shout for 2027 Thomas Du Toit, Khuto Mchunu, Gerhard Steenkamp, Salman Moeraat, Evan Roos, Henco Van Wyk, Sasha Mngomezulu, Will be watching the URC keenly to see which other up and comers could force their way in. Next Captain for me is between Cheslin or Handre

Kenneth uitstekende bespreking! Groete uit LIma Peru!

Interesting chat. I was doing similar analysis on ages. Agree a large number of the squad is likely to be replaced. What makes it more difficult to predict is the way we utilise our bench, effectively managing player time really well, meaning older boys can still compete well in a different way. Given how we utilise our bomb squad, i see players like Etzebeth & PSDT to play more of a role coming off the bench. Even think if Siya stays healthy he might make an appearance in the squad... But unlikely. Looking at props in other teams, you often see older players stick around, so won't be surprised for one or two older boys to hang on. Given the utility of certain players, is difficult to predict the role some players are likely to still have. You mentioned Moodie. I happen to think Willemse is likely to become more of a centre if they find a replacement fullback, or he'll return to being the ultimate sub in 7-1 splits. Also wonder if Pollard will get game time at 12, and Libbock at 15 in two years. A lot of young talent knocking on the door. Will see who stands up. Will be interesting to see your similar thoughts on NZ, Ireland, France and England ... IMO they'll be the biggest threats based on current form.