Springboks: Most valuable international players

Rassie Erasmus has made it clear that the Springboks’ planning for the 2027 World Cup has already begun, and the next few weeks leading up to the new Test season will certainly offer further insights.

Erasmus is keen to back some new youngsters as they look to integrate fresh blood over the next four years, but there are Springbok veterans who will remain as valuable to the cause as ever.

THREE SPRINGBOKS WITH MASSIVE ROLES TO PLAY

Siya Kolisi

Although the Springboks still need to make a big call on the long-term captaincy for their France-based captain, it won’t for one minute impact his on and off field value.

Kolisi is now 32 years, but there is already a road map in place to manage his game-time over the next four years, with every possibility that he could make it to the 2027 World Cup as one of the key stalwarts and leaders in the squad.

Purely from a performance point of view, Kolisi is a one-of-a-kind player, and the Springboks will be desperate for him to return to full fitness at French club Racing 92.

Consistency will be key for Kolisi, while managing his minutes on the field will be more important than ever, but his passion to continue contributing in a big way to the Springboks remain as strong as ever.

Handre Pollard

It’s quite incredible to think that Pollard has only just turned 30 years old, having been on the Springbok scene ever since 2014 as a 20-year-old.

Now with Leicester Tigers in England, Pollard looks to have been reaching the peak of his powers, as evidenced upon his return from injury to play a key role at the World Cup last year.

Pollard did not miss a single goal kick at the global showpiece, and the Springboks simply don’t have another place-kicker of this calibre.

There is no reason why Pollard can’t play prominently over the new few years, and he remains one of the most valuable world-class role players.

Cheslin Kolbe

Kolbe is now plying his trade in Japan, and by all accounts he had made a flying start at Tokyo Sungoliath until recently picking up a hand injury.

However, he will soon be back in action, and there is good reason to believe that his time in Japan should extend his career at a time when he has also entered his 30s.

Kolbe is a unique X factor weapon for the Springboks, and his double threat with Kurt-Lee Arendse has helped take the South African attack to another level.

It’s such an exciting prospect to consider the attacking revolution that might be kick started by new Springbok attack coach Tony Brown, and the value Kolbe could add in this new system can’t be underestimated.