Erasmus is clearly irritated by the 'ageing squad' narrative and used his Italy pre-match presser to dismantle it with hard data. His core argument: squad age is highly sensitive to selection, and two or three changes can swing the average from 32 to 29 overnight. Run a younger combination — Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Hooker, Moodie, Arendse, de Klerk, Willemse, Van den Berg — and the average drops to 27 or 28. The piece captures Erasmus acknowledging the genuine tension he's managing: veterans like Kriel and De Allende keep performing, which makes it hard to justify dropping them purely on age, yet the transition still needs to happen. Six uncapped players in the November touring squad — five under 21 — suggests the pipeline is being loaded even if it isn't yet reflected in matchday 23s. His frustration seems less about the criticism itself and more that the conversation has shifted from results to longevity, which he clearly reads as a lack of appreciation for what the team is still achieving.
Erasmus pushes back on ageing Boks narrative — and the numbers back him up
Erasmus uses squad age data to counter the 'ageing Boks' narrative, arguing that small selection changes swing the average dramatically — while admitting balancing results with youth development has been genuinely difficult.
Rassie backs Pollard through Bulls slump — but the pressure is real
Erasmus is publicly backing Pollard through his Bulls slump, but with Libbok in form, Feinberg-Mngomezulu out, and Moyo now in the mix, the piece argues the pressure on Pollard ahead of the international season is more acute than the coach's measured words let on.
So how deep is the Springbok squad?
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De Klerk explains South Africa return as scrumhalf crisis hands him Bok recall
Faf de Klerk has explained his decision to return to South Africa with the Cheetahs, saying family and a desire to rebuild Free State rugby drove the move, with his Springbok recall coming on the back of injuries to Reinach, Hendrikse and Van den Berg.
Why 'Gazza' Willemse is the insurance policy Bok fans should trust
Rich maps the 2022 injury-to-opportunity parallel to argue that Libbok and Willemse provide Erasmus real cover at 10 — and that Bok fans fretting about Feinberg-Mngomezulu's absence are underselling the depth already in the system.
Erasmus credits SA Rugby pipeline after Boks rout Barbarians 80-31
Erasmus praised the composure and maturity of five uncapped players after the Springboks beat the Barbarians 80-31 in Gqeberha, crediting SA Rugby's pipeline for the depth available, while playing down franchise form as a selection concern following the Bulls' heavy URC Final loss to Leinster.