Rassie Erasmus doubts that star Springbok will make the 2027 Rugby World Cup

South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is unsure as to whether world-class lock Eben Etzebeth has the capabilities of playing at the next global tournament in 2027.

The second-row turned 32 the day after their 12-11 Rugby World Cup final triumph over New Zealand at the Stade de France.

Etzebeth has been remarkably durable during his career, and has amassed well over 100 caps since making his debut in 2012.

He has been part of two World Cup-winning teams and has no doubt eyed the opportunity to potentially make it a third in 2027.

South Africa examples

Deon Fourie and Duane Vermeulen have shown that players can still be at a high level in their mid-to-late 30s, but Etzebeth has more Test miles on the clock than those two.

“He is so athletic, but I don’t know if he has another World Cup in him,” Erasmus told Rapport.

The Springboks’ director of rugby also has concerns at hooker with Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx 37 and 33 years old respectively by the time of the next World Cup.

Fourie, who has played as a flanker over the past few seasons, filled in when Marx got injured, but behind that the stocks look a bit bare currently.

“We may be a bit thin at hooker,” Erasmus said, after he had praised the efforts of his squad in dealing with injuries during the global tournament.

“Even when Bongi Mbonambi was off early (in the final), we won the World Cup with Deon Fourie at hooker. We lost Lood de Jager. We lost Lukhanyo Am.” he added.

Erasmus next looked at the fly-half options, where they have a number of talented individuals who are of a good age.

They are led by Manie Libbok, a player that had his moments during the World Cup but someone the coaches did not trust for the final.

That proved to be the correct call as Handre Pollard kicked at 100 per cent in the showpiece event, but the Leicester Tiger is another that will be getting towards his mid-30s in four years’ time.

“We will just work really hard on his (Libbok’s) set-piece work. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (21) is coming through. Curwin Bosch (26) has matured (as a rugby player). You can look at him as a 10 and 15. Damian Willemse (25) can play 10,” Erasmus said.

Praise for coaches

While the 51-year-old is looking at his squad over the next four-year cycle, he also has some coaching roles to fill.

Head coach Jacques Nienaber has departed for Leinster while Felix Jones will join up with England ahead of the 2024 Six Nations.

Erasmus is set to take over from Nienaber, reprising the position he held during the 2019 World Cup, but the Boks boss admits their departures will be keenly felt.

“They (Jacques and Felix) walk away with good knowledge, but we only got such good knowledge from them. The wheel turns. I think our paths will cross again in the future,” he added.

“England have got a gem in Felix. He works himself to death. Morning, afternoon and evening. Jacques is exactly the same.”

READ MORE: Rassie Erasmus confirms his Springboks future following Rugby World Cup triumph