Bok age debate highlights need to plan for the future

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AN interesting conversation developed while we were watching the Springboks-World XV rugby match on Saturday when Schalk Burger ran on to the field as a replacement. "Isn't he too old?" was the question posed.

At the age of 31, it's probably best not to let the formidable Schalk know about this conversation, especially after he was grouped with bunch of older players in a newspaper cartoon ahead of the World XV match.

In the cartoon, the younger, more energetic Bok players were being given water by the coaches, while the older generation – Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Fourie du Preez – were being given pills to keep them going.

"I know I am balding but I am six years younger than Victor, so next time please give me water," Burger quipped.

Banking on what has been termed in some circles as the geriatric squad is certainly a talking point among rugby fans, with several views on the concept.

It does seem that coach Heyneke Meyer has a strong connection with some of the older players who have come through the ranks under his guidance and there's a tendency to keep them in the system rather than looking for younger, fresher blood.

But surely a player should be judged only on his playing ability with age not necessarily that important a factor. As some critics view the emergence of young talent by saying "if they are good enough, they are old enough", the same should apply to the older set: "if they are good enough, they are young enough."

Fans can argue about the ability of the players because everyone will have an opinion on whether they should be there, but surely you cannot cast someone aside just because he is deemed to be "too old".

The way modern rugby's schedule has been structured is that there is precious little time to blood new players. Coaches are focused largely on winning the next match because a lack of success inevitably leads to them being jettisoned. There is not much patience with long-term plans nowadays and the coach has to pick his team according to his view of how to win the next game.

Having said that, coaches who do manage to stick around for a while do need to plan for the time when the older players move on by introducing young players into the system and having the confidence to include them in the starting XVs.

Sadly there are no longer the sorts of tours which give coaches the opportunity to develop burgeoning talent. In today's results-driven world, rugby is the poorer for it.

Currently, it is disappointing that two of SA's young stars such as Eben Etzebeth and Peter-Steph du Toit are recovering from injuries because they certainly would have challenged the likes of Matfield and Botha.

My advice to Meyer, which is certain to go unheeded, is plan for the future, but pick the best team you can.