The Springboks’ Bomb Squad will not be outlawed by World Rugby and head coach Rassie Erasmus will be able to use the forwards-dominated bench in the future.
Image: AFP
Springbok supporters can sleep with peace of mind that the Bomb Squad is here to stay, and no one will ban the brainchild of South African head coach Rassie Erasmus.
World Rugby this past week said there are no medical or scientific grounds to outlaw using a six-two or seven-one, also known as a Nuke Squad, replacement bench overloaded with forwards.
So, the Bok invention is safe from its detractors and the world champions will be able to use it in the mid-year Tests and the rest of the year against their opponents. That is good news for the national side, but to be honest, if World Rugby decided to put a halt to the use of a forwards-dominated bench, Erasmus would’ve found new ways to be innovative with his team selections.
Maybe we would’ve seen the 5-3 bench split in favour of the backline for a more running game. That could’ve been on the cards.
The response of So Lekka from Erasmus to World Rugby not finding grounds to ban it was the cherry on top of the cake with the Bok guru showing his satisfaction. Of course, his history with bans from the international body is well documented. So, it’s good that not another piece of genius from the Springboks was banned.
South Africans, well most of the rugby supporters in the country, will get behind the Bulls this weekend as they attempt to reach the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup. The tricky thing for the director of rugby Jake White will be to find the right balance when he selects his team, also having the United Rugby Championship in mind.
But if they want to push for a first piece of silverware in the European competitions, they must select their strongest for the battle with Edinburgh on Saturday (1.30 pm start).
The Bulls have been playing some good rugby and won’t be total underdogs in the clash against the Scottish club and their mentor, South African Sean Everitt, a former Bulls coach.