The man behind the world’s best scrum finally answers All Blacks
SPOTLIGHT: Daan Human has spent the past six years turning the Springboks into the most feared scrummaging side in world rugby, and the Bok assistant coach has now dismissed claims that South Africa manipulate the set piece illegally.
The man known as the “Scrum Doctor” rejected accusations that the Springboks coach their props to “walk around” the mark, insisting their dominance has been built through legal technique, precision and years of hard work rather than bending the laws of the game.
Human, widely regarded as the architect of the Springboks’ formidable set piece, addressed the scrum controversy for the first time on Tuesday after almost two weeks of debate sparked by All Blacks coach Dave Rennie’s allegations following the first Test in Cape Town.
For Human, the answer is simple.
“If you say we’ve been walking around, then we’ve been walking around for the past six years, ever since I’ve been part of Springbok rugby,” he said.
“Walking around? I can promise you I have never coached that. I actually want us to go forward on both sides and with the whole scrum. It’s not actually ideal for us to walk around.”
‘Scrum is part of who we are’
Human said the scrum is more than just a weapon for the Springboks – it’s part of South African rugby culture.
“Scrum is part of our country. Here, we like to scrum,” he said.
“I have to earn my salary and, to earn my salary, I believe we should have at least 20 scrums in a game. That’s what I hope for,” he said with a wry smile and added jokingly that without scrums, rugby loses part of its identity.
“If there are no scrums, it’s almost like 13-man rugby.”
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‘Everyone’s suddenly a scrum coach’
The Springbok assistant admitted he has watched the public debate around scrum angles and penalties with amusement, saying many opinions are being formed from without understanding what is happening in the contest.
“It’s quite interesting. It’s like every second guy is becoming a scrum coach now,” Human said.
“It’s good that people have opinions, but it’s very important for us to focus on what we do and how we do it.
“It’s not always easy to understand what’s really happening in a scrum.
“I don’t see this an attack on my character, I promise, I’m not a coward. I just coach the way I was brought up.”
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Trust the referee
Rather than debating decisions publicly, Human said the Springboks adapt to each referee’s interpretation.
He praised Angus Gardner’s management of the scrum in Cape Town and said the Boks’ job is to adjust, not complain.
“We’ve got respect for Angus. I thought he was very consistent in his decision-making on Saturday.
“We need to trust him. He’s the main man in the middle, and if he sees something that’s not right, he’ll tell us to fix it and we’ll try to do it.”
Human insisted legality is non-negotiable within the Springbok camp.
“We always try to do things 100% by the book. That’s the way we were brought up.
“We will never work like that, and I will never coach that.
“I can assure you one thing: we’ll work hard and be precise in what we’re doing, but it must be legal, straightforward and about dominance.”
