Rassie returns to social media with classic chirp

Rassie Erasmus has tactfully and cleverly hit back at yet more criticism that has been levelled at the Springboks’ bomb squad.

Rassie Erasmus, the Springbok coach. Image: @Springboks

Over the last few years, the Springboks, under Rassie Erasmus, have become renowned for packing their bench with forwards – occasionally even going with a 7-1 split.

In the 2019 World Cup, the substitutes famously coined the terminology of the ‘bomb squad’, but as the strategy has persisted, there has been some criticism levelled at the tactic and safety of being able to almost replace their entire pack with fresh forwards.

In the latest example of this during an interview with The Times, outgoing World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont questioned whether the sport allows too many substitutes, reflecting on how the game used to “open up” in the final 20 minutes.

Having clearly picked up on this, Erasmus took to social media to clap with the following statement: “Bomb squad? Good thing games is won or lost on the field and not in the boardrooms,” the Springbok boss wrote on his X account.

Earlier this year World Rugby outlined the next steps of an action plan at the Shape of the Game forum, which could directly impact the Springboks’ bomb squad.

The fourth phase outlined specifically involves specialist working groups that will be established to further explore aspects identified by the Shape of the Game forum for further consideration, as outlined below.

Replacements: Examine the latest research on the impact of fatigue and the number and timing of replacements in the elite game to determine options that might create more space on the field while improving injury rates.

It’s that point which indicates how seriously World Rugby are considering making a key changes to the substitutions policies.

The Springboks and Rassie will be used to this criticism

Earlier this season, after Erasmus named a 6-2 bench during the Test series against Ireland, he also quite effectively dismissed the lack of logic in the argument.

“We do hear things and see things. I am on social media and I read things,” said Erasmus. “There are some things that you really take to heart and some things that you try to understand. I try stay in touch with South Africa and what our people feel and how they react, and I try to be honest with the media without giving too much away.

“To be honest with you, I’ve learnt that you know the laws and the protocols and you don’t go outside of the protocols. I’ve been slapped over my wrists for doing that and then had to learn and adapt.

“We could have sent them on one by one, but if all six go at the same time, I don’t know if that’s dangerous. Ireland also play with a 6/2…. I don’t think the Irish team feels that way and I don’t think Andy Farrell feels that way. I think it’s one individual who said that, but I’m not sure the Irish players would agree with it,” he added.

“They’re too proud and they handled us well, and still after that scored two great tries to make it a tight game at the end. Some things make sense when you see them, and others don’t.”