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international
Ex All black people Head coach Steve Hansen has warned Rassie Erasmus that some veterans could call it quits ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Speaking from experience after 2015 Rugby World Cup title, Hansen said the coaches were very aware of the age profile of their team heading into 2019.
The Springboks carry a number of veterans from their double World Cup victories such as Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-steph du Toit, Jesse Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe.
“We had a group of players going into 2015 that were getting older and we had a one-on-one discussion with them about what they control,” Hansen said on Rugby Unity and For the Love of Rugby SA podcast collaboration.
“They were the only person who could tell you if they still had the desire, the real desire, to do a Sunday to Friday job – Saturday is always a fun time; everyone can still play then if we can.”
Hansen said it was the right way for players who had given so much to South Africa to come out of retirement, if they decided to call the appointment early before the World Cup.
“The guys you’re talking about are generational players for South Africa, and they’re guys you don’t want to let go because they carry so much with them,” he said.
“However, if he (Erasmus) is having the conversation, then maybe there will be one or two who say, ‘Look, I don’t know, I just can’t do it anymore’, and that’s fine; they put the team first.
“They’re brave enough to tell you that. So you’re kicking them off the team in a way that they deserve to be kicked off because they’re championship players.”
“But if they still have that desire, they’ll come out in front and play well.”
