This season ushered in an ever-increasing transition for the Springboks as a new generation of players have been gradually exposed to game-time at Test level in what is essentially a split squad system.
While formal retirement announcements may still be pending for some, the reality of the post-World Cup cycle, coupled with the relentless pressure of age and injuries, suggests that several celebrated veterans have likely played their last Test in the green and gold.
End of the Springbok road for these Springboks?
Willie le Roux
Although Le Roux reached the landmark of 100 Test caps this year, undoubtedly cementing his legacy as an all-time great, the presence of younger in-form fullbacks like Aphelele Fassi and Damian Willemse in 2025 has naturally reduced his opportunities.
Even when Fassi and Willemse were unavailable on the end-of-year tour, it instead led to an opportunity for Cheslin Kolbe to have a run at fullback.
Considering the Springboks’ renewed focus on building depth for the 2027 World Cup, and the fact that Le Rous is now 36-years-old, it really wouldn’t make much sense for him to feature next season unless there was an injury crisis at fullback.
Trevor Nyakane
Trevor Nyakane’s Springbok career, spanning over a decade and including two World Cup triumphs, was defined by his powerful scrummaging and important versatility to cover both loosehead and tighthead prop.
Unfortunately, the start of 2025 saw the double World Cup winner sustain a severe Achilles tendon injury while playing for the Sharks, but it’s unlikely he would have featured much this season as it is.
Nyakane only played in one Test as a substitute last year, and as the Springboks hand over the baton to other versatile front rowers like Thomas du Toit and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, it does seem like the 36-year-old won’t be adding to his highly commendable 68 Test caps.
Deon Fourie
Fourie’s Springbok career is one of the most surprising stories in modern rugby, culminating in him becoming the oldest Springbok debutant at the age of 35 in 2022.
Boasting a tireless work rate, relentless breakdown presence, and invaluable cover as a specialist openside flanker who could also slot in at hooker, his heroic performance in the 2023 Rugby World Cup cemented his legacy as a true warrior of the game.
Fourie fulfilled his Springbok mission with distinction and played a defining role in a World Cup final, a perfect curtain call for a career that came full circle at the highest level.
Now at the age of 39, Fourie has been beset by a series of unfortunate injuries, and any hope of a rugby comeback will likely be restricted to the Stormers rather than the Springboks.
