Duncan Johnston argues that South Africa's Rugby World Cup campaign will be undone by the age of their big names on stuff.co.nz.
"The Springboks won't be able to defend the World Cup because their core of stars are over the hill. The cracks began to appear last year and they are opening up in alarming fashion for Boks coach Pieter de Villiers during Super Rugby.
"From skipper John Smit in his confusing front row roles through to Bryan Habana's struggles on the wings, leading South African players are clearly struggling for form. Even the once-feared locking partnership of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha is losing its aura.
"Botha's ill-discipline will always pose a problem in a tournament situation and it's hard to dismiss the thought that Matfield's effort against the Crusaders last weekend was his worst performance in more than 100 Super Rugby games."
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