No Country for Old Men? Last dance for World Cup’s elder statesmen

New Zealand and South Africa’s veterans have overcome mental and physical adversity to lead their teams to the World Cup final

Eben Etzebeth and Frans Malherbe, aged 31 and 32 respectively, are among the experienced heads who have helped South Africa reach the World Cup final. Pic: ©INPHO/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

The final week of a Rugby World Cup is always bittersweet. For a start there is the dubious honour of the “bronze final” for the semi-final losers, a contractual obligation best described as “character-building”. There is also a hint of wistfulness as familiar old stagers and battle-scarred monarchs of the glen prepare for one last dance in the jerseys they have worn with huge distinction.

On this occasion, the list is dominated by forwards who, in some cases, seem to have been around since the dawn of time. Sam Whitelock is now the most capped All Black in history, with even the great Richie McCaw in his rearview mirror. Also awaiting the final curtain are Courtney Lawes and Dan Cole, each of whom has won a century of caps for England in good times and bad and would be prime contenders for anybody’s Top Bloke XV.