VIDEO: ‘No stress' - Bok comes to Bomb Squad's defence
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok utility forward Franco Mostert has defended the ‘Bomb Squad’ amid public scrutiny.
Questions surrounding the effectiveness of South Africa’s bench have surfaced following the Rugby Championship season.
The ‘Bomb Squad’ was used to great effect during the Springboks’ 2019 World Cup triumph by former Springbok coach and now SA Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus
The six-two split (six forwards and two backs on the bench) has become entrenched in the nation’s history and was integral in their 32-12 win over England in the 2019 Final.
Against Australia during the Rugby Championship opener, the tactic again excelled, handing the Springboks a 43-12 victory in Pretoria.
However, it was diffused by the All Blacks in a 20-35 defeat in Auckland.
New Zealand rushed to a 20-3 lead at the break and despite the World Champs being a more determined unit in the second half with some big names coming off the bench, the All Blacks still managed to finish strongly to secure the win.
The defeat saw the Boks management opt to forgo the six-two split against Argentina last weekend which almost proved to be costly as the pack struggled in the closing stages.
They conceded two late tries but managed to hold on for a narrow 22-21 win at Ellis Park.
This Saturday they will again take to the field with a five-three split and while concerns continue to pile up, the original member of the 2019 World Cup Bomb Squad, Franco Mostert, said there is very little worry inside the camp.
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“The Springbok management – Rassie Erasmus, Jacques Nienaber and Felix Jones – all have good plans,” Mostert said.
“They are trying to work out combinations ahead of the World Cup, which is a good thing. They are looking at strong points and hopefully, it will work.
“There is no stress around the Bomb Squad.
“Rassie and the team have a plan and we back them 100 percent.”
Battle in BA
Heading into the match against a fired-up Argentinian side this Saturday, Mostert has urged his team to be more clinical at the line-outs.
“At the moment we are not happy with it. We can be more clean and positive with our own ball,” Mostert admitted.
“We are working on it and working to get it right closer towards the World Cup.
“With contesting we are very happy, we have leaders like Eben Etzebeth and Jean Kleyn, who make it very difficult for the opponents.”
He added: “In Buenos Aires, it’s always a very physical outing. With the game they [Los Pumas] played in Johannesburg they were so close, so this weekend they will be eager to play.
“Hopefull,y we can give a big performance and match them.”
The match against Los Pumas will be the Boks’ final game before Nienaber names the 33-man squad that will travel to France to defend the World Cup title on August 8.
@leezil07
