When Jacques Kallis retired from international cricket a decade ago, the Proteas were shaken by the massive void left behind. The now 48-year-old was undoubtedly a generational talent, and for years after his departure, cricket in South Africa found themselves stuck in a loop, looking, searching for the next Kallis.
The Springboks find themselves in a similar situation, with the fork in the road set right before them. The truth is, that the world champions that so spectacularly won the 2019 World Cup, and then defended the championship so bravely four years later, are arguably moving on in life.
Steven Kitshoff is 32, as is Eben Etzebeth. Frans Malherbe is 33, the same age as Franco Mostert and Bok skipper Siya Kolisi. Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi and Willie le Roux are all in their 30s.
Managing their fitness and game time will become only more important in the coming seasons, if they are to make the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Of course, the science of ageing in sport has only improved, and what would have been a career-ending injury or set-back some years ago, are now cases that can be rehabilitated. Equally, there can be no doubt that the players in the Boks fold are arguably the fittest specimens that could represent the country, and all have a major role to play still.
But time moves on, and can be cruel. It is the reason that Bok coach Rassie Erasmus has looked to expand his pool of players and evolve the national team’s game plan.
The second-row will be under such scrutiny when the Rugby Championship starts next weekend. A dearth of injuries to key players has forced Erasmus to rely on Etzebeth, Salmaan Moerat, Ben-Jason Dixon, RG Snyman and Ruan Nortje as his locks. Before their departure to Australia earlier this week for their opening matches in the tournament against the Wallabies, the Bok mentor also touted Du Toit playing there.
It is a good mix of names.
Nortje, however, is the player with the most to gain during the tour Down Under. Initially left out of the squad, much to the chagrin of his supporters, the 26-year-old has been circling the fringe of Bok selection – hoping to add to his one Test cap earned in 2022 – with some impressive displays in the United Rugby Championship for the Bulls.
The No 5 lock is highly rated, his leadership skills and rugby intelligence undeniable, his line-out work and commitment near flawless, but he finds himself defined by the expectations placed on Mostert – a trap he should be wary to fall into.
“I think he is very much a replacement for Franco,” Erasmus said earlier this week of Nortje’s role, and therein lies the danger for both coach and player.
“(Nortje) was in our alignment camps,” the Boks mentor continued, when asked if it was a like-for-like replacement.
“We have a few guys that are out. One has to forget about Jean Kleyn, who is 29; forget about Lood de Jager, who probably has another two years in him.
“With Franco now also out, you have Du Toit, who can call five for you and play five lock, where he started out his career ... Franco is a guy that can play seven and five.
“Ruan was just unlucky that the other guys were in form and playing really well. But now, because of injury, he gets his opportunity.
Sous, it could be argued, is very much a bruiser, the type of player that will bleed until he collapses. His worth is defined by a relentless nature, and his ability to throw every cell of his being into contact on attack and defence.
There is no doubt that Nortje won’t shy away from the physical stuff, but is arguably a more technical player, with his tactical acumen his most valuable asset. Finding the right balance between him and the rest of the tight five where his strengths can be best utilised, therefore, will be important to the Boks’ success.
Said Erasmus: “(Bok assistant coach) Deon Davids is smiling because (Nortje’s) ability with (Johan Grobbelaar), Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Elrigh (Louw), certainly, there are some combinations there.
“If we have to go a certain route, and switch team selection, there will be corrections (in game plan) and not totally new guys, who will be playing together, if that happens.”
Nortje, then, has the opportunity to express himself, and the Bok management must ensure he gets to do that. He is not merely a replacement for Mostert – he can be much more than that, if allowed to do so.