Is the end in sight for Os?

By Dale Granger

Two of Springbok rugby's greatest loosehead props of the modern era doubt that the legendary Os du Randt can still play for 80 minutes and are questioning whether he might prove more of a liability than an asset at the World Cup later this year.

Du Randt, the only survivor from the 1995 Springbok team that won the World Cup, is set for a fairytale swansong to rugby in France later this year.

But after winning 71 caps for the Springboks - the most recent from a 40-minute performance against Samoa last weekend - he was not included in the 22-man squad facing Australia in the opening Tri-Nations match at Newlands on Saturday.

Now two of his peers, his Cheetahs captain and team-mate, Ollie le Roux, and former Stormers and Springbok loosehead prop Robbie Kempson, believe that Father Time and injuries have taken their toll on the popular Du Randt, who will be 35 by the time the World Cup kicks off.

"I've watched him play for the past two years and have wondered. There is a time to come and a time to go and when it comes to international rugby, I think Os should have ended his career two years ago.

It's not even a 50-50 call anymore," said Le Roux, the 54 capped Springbok who was a team-mate of Du Randt at both provincial and international level.

Echoing his views was Kempson, the retired 33-year-old former Stormers, Ulster and Northampton prop, who played 37 times for South Africa.

"He is not a young man, but he is a big man and it looks like the injuries are having an effect. I think that Os is the greatest loosehead prop who ever played rugby, but today it doesn't look as if he can finish a game. The question is: where does he add value? On the field or is his influence primarily off the field?" said Kempson.

Du Randt started four matches for the Cheetahs in this year's Super 14, often being substituted, after playing no part in last year's Currie Cup through no fault of his own, as all the contracted Springboks were withdrawn from the competition.

However, in last year's Springbok campaign he started eight Tests for South Africa, completing two matches. Those were against Scotland in PE and Australia in Sydney.

Le Roux, who was also a member of the 1995 World Cup squad, but sat on the bench when South Africa beat New Zealand in the final when the 22-year-old Du Randt played, even questioned Du Randt's motivation for Test rugby.

"I do not think Os is hungry enough anymore. The youngsters are hungry, but Jake (White) loves Os and has managed him carefully for quite some time. I think that Gurthro (Steenkamp) or Deon Carstens are much more dynamic and better suited to the modern game.

"You can see that Os is still struggling with his knee and it is affecting his mobility. He is still okay running in a straight line, but not when he steps. He has been protected for some time, but the call should have been made some time ago and I think he is past his sell-by date now.

"There is a lot of nostalgia and a great aura around Os. But like it was with Joost (van der Westhuizen) and Mark Andrews, the players have to accept when their time is up and they have gone too far.

"Os can still handle the scrums and drive and support well, but he is getting shown up in other facets of play. In 2004 he was the best loosehead in the world. But these days he plays until half-time and then he is injured," said Le Roux.

White, nevertheless, has always regarded Du Randt as a massive influence on his players and said he would be going to the World Cup as a mentor to the young Steenkamp.

In France he will not have the luxury of flying in replacements for anyone injured, but he does have the option of switching John Smit from hooker to loosehead. In CJ van der Linde he also has a prop who can pack down on both sides of the scrum.