VIDEO: Erasmus on the 'science' behind six-two split
VIDEO: Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has again opted for a split six forwards and two backs on the bench in the Test against Australia at Loftus on Saturday.
It is an approach the Boks coaching staff used to great effect during the 2019 World Cup.
In the Final against England, then coached by Eddie Jones, the Bomb squad entered the fray to give the knock-out blow in a 32-12 win.
The six-two split was something then coach Johan Erasmus used to perfection and it produced the desired results.
In four games, including the three in the knockout stages, Erasmus split his bench (known as the Bomb Squad) between six forwards and two backs, rather than the conventional five and three.
It gave him an alternative tight five, and with Mbongeni Mbonambi and Lodewyk de Jager barely lasting beyond the opening quarter against England, his decision was seen to be vindicated.
As a young coach, Erasmus once noted: “It has been scientifically proven that at the end of a game more oxygen is being used to keep tired bodies moving than their brains thinking clearly. I believe that it is at this critical stage that a game is won and lost.”
A bomb squad are highly trained technicians with nerves of steel.
They essentially make life-saving calls when they are called out to do their job.
Nienaber explained the science behind the decision of using a six-two split.
The backline players are Grant Williams, who will provide cover at scrumhalf and wing, and Damian Willemse, who will cover flyhalf, centre and fullback.
“I can’t comment on what Australia is going to do and what their team will look like,” Nienaber told @ruigby365com, when asked for a the reasoning behind the split.
“But with the 6-2 split, and with Damian and Grant, that can cover us, it gives us the best opportunity.
“It’s something we have used in the past with success, obviously there is no perfect scenario, be it 5-3 or 6-2, there is always a bit of risk in both.
“But with us, we feel with the cover we have on the bench in those two players, gives us the luxury of going with the 6-2 split.”
(WATCH as Jacques Nienaber & Rassie Erasmus explains the six-two split and the use of the Bomb Squad …)
Erasmus explained that it is also with a view to the World Cup in France in September and October.
He said the challenges that come with playing in pool matches and the short turn-around time between matches require some innovative thinking.
“When we play in the World Cup, there is some five-day turnarounds,” Erasmus said, adding” There are longer turnarounds when we get to the quarterfinals.
“The way we have structured these two weeks is that the days we train in the week differ from how we do it at the moment – that being Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday morning and then Thursday off with the captains practice on Fridays.
“We will also rejig that a little bit just to see how it works when we get to the World Cup pools, and also, it gives our players in New Zealand the chance to be fresh and focus on New Zealand.
“And I think sometimes that will happen with the World Cup as well, so definitely one eye on the Rugby Championships, but with one foot almost trying a few things with the squad,” he explained.
