If you stop to think about all the achievements that the Springboks have had and then think about the ages of the players, it's startling to think how young they really are! Everyone knows and speaks about how the current crop can all play through to the world cup, but if you actually think of the amount of experience they will have it becomes scary!
I looked at the ages of the current Bok squad and a few possibles for the next few years. Have a look at the table and you'll see how young they'll still be at the next world cup! The first column is their current age and the second column their age by October 2011.
2009 | 2011 | ||
1 | Mtawarira | 24 | 26 |
2 | B. du Plessis | 25 | 27 |
3 | Smit | 31 | 33 |
4 | Botha | 30 | 32 |
5 | Matfield | 32 | 34 |
6 | Brussow | 23 | 25 |
7 | Smith | 28 | 30 |
8 | Spies | 24 | 26 |
9 | du Preez | 27 | 29 |
10 | M. Steyn | 25 | 27 |
11 | Habana | 26 | 28 |
12 | de Villiers | 28 | 30 |
13 | Fourie | 26 | 28 |
14 | Ndungane | 28 | 30 |
15 | Pienaar | 25 | 27 |
16 | J. du Plessis | 27 | 29 |
17 | Ralepelle | 23 | 25 |
18 | Russouw | 31 | 33 |
19 | Burger | 26 | 28 |
20 | Januarie | 27 | 29 |
21 | F.Steyn | 22 | 24 |
22 | Jacobs | 29 | 31 |
Squad | |||
Pietersen | 23 | 25 | |
Bekker | 26 | 28 | |
Kankowski | 24 | 26 | |
Olivier | 26 | 28 | |
Possibles | |||
Steenkamp | 28 | 30 | |
vd Linde | 29 | 31 | |
BJ Botha | 29 | 31 | |
Muller | 29 | 31 | |
Sykes | 25 | 27 | |
Potgieter | 22 | 24 | |
Kirchner | 25 | 27 | |
James | 30 | 32 | |
Nokwe | 28 | 30 | |
Chavhanga | 26 | 28 | |
Deysel | 24 | 26 |
I have left out some players that might make their mark in the next 2 years. Obviously, there are also those Heinrich Brussow's that will bounce onto the scene.
Take a look at their ages, think about your age in comparison and how young this side is and how much they can still achieve!
Bring on Saturday! Go Bokke!
2 comments:
Hi Dale some interesting stats. However we must never become complacent and will need to think 5-10 years ahead.
I agree, and with all the talent coming through it's scary to think what SA rugby is still capable of!
Complacency is one ingredient for disaster, so there is no place for it in any winning team!
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