Players contracted 2020+

I agree with you 100%. We dont need any more outside backs, we need a proper inside center that can take the ball from Elton playing flat, someone like Rohan or Esterhuizen. We need a proper hooker, would have loved to see Dweba (he went to school in Randfontein) and we desperately need a hard no nonsense lock. Why we keep spending money on outside backs is beyond me. Our backs, save for a 12, is not the problem...

Personally I hope we don't resign Dreyer, Van Rooyen, Mapoe or Combrink. We need to invest in the talent we have and while the props can play longer, we have loads of depth at prop. Mapoe and Combrink aren't the players they were 3 years ago. What message does it send Pienaar, Rass, Simelane, van der Schyff, Mollentze, Matthews, Swanepoel and even Muzi Manyike (former SA schools captain)?

When "experience" is blocking talent's pathway the talent will leave and become Springboks at another union. James Venter (path to the first team blocked by Schoeman) is already in the bok mix, and with Mapimpi in Japan I wouldn't be surprised if Madosh Tambwe puts himself in the bok mix.

Do we really need more? Especially backs and loose forwards?

We have a 45 player and 60 million cap in place. Young players are demanding more money earlier these days, and decent to average, established players returning from Europe want a premium. We have a similar problem European clubs have (https://rugby365.com/countries/japan/kiwi-coach-condemns-big-money-deals-for-super-players/). So should we use up a sizable piece of our player budget on old hands, and let the most promising juniors go?

The answer is in the middle, get a few experienced players in, but be very selective about which players and which positions. These guys either need to be current Springboks (or currently in the mix), or they need to add huge value both on and off the field. Players nearing 30 that are average or slightly above average but not in the Springbok picture need to be moved onto Europe or Japan with the exception of guys that add huge value on and off the field (harsh but this works brilliantly in New Zealand). This keeps pathways clear for top youngsters. Instead of having a talented 22 year old that is too old for age-group rugby, but can't get a game because 30 something year olds, who will never be Springboks, are keeping them out of the match 23, causing the youngster's career to stall or them moving to other unions or overseas out of frustration - let them play, develop and reach their potential in a Lions jersey.

Spend good money on a few quality, experienced hands in key positions to mentor young talent, then spend more on top juniors and keep the pathways clear for them to progress. Lions rugby and SA rugby would benefit from this.