Rassie's unique take on the role of a Bok No.8 and those in the running
SPOTLIGHT: Rassie Erasmus is universally recognised as the game’s most innovative coach, because he merges radical tactical innovation with a deep psychological alignment to the socio-cultural fabric of South Africa.
Rather than adhering to traditional norms, he continuously challenges established conventions to engineer strategic advantages.
First there was the Bomb Squad, which he expanded to a ‘nuke squad’ with 7-1 (forwards heavy) bench split.
He continues to push boundaries, even using a centre as a flank.
This past week, on the eve of his team’s departure to Argentina, Erasmus gave his aberrated take on the role of a Springbok No.8.
And he is ready to further evolve his already diverse team selections.
The long-term injury of utility forward Kwagga Smith (severe knee injury, torn ACL and meniscus) has left a vacancy as a back-loose forward, particularly at No.8.
However, Erasmus, as always thinking a step ahead of the chasing pack, has ‘several’ candidates already training in as alternative eigthmen.
Jasper Wiese is the premium No.8.
However, several unexpected candidates are ‘training’ at the back of the scrum.
This includes the Stormers star flank Paul de Villiers, who is having a breakout season, having made his Bok debut in July.
Centre Andre Esterhuizen, who has already featured as a flank in the Green and Gold, often also trains at No.8.
Bulls loose forwards Marco van Staden (who has already featured at hooker), Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw are others in line to switch to eighthman.
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“Marco [van Staden] replaced Jasper [Wiese] in the last game [the 43-0 whitewash of Wales],” Erasmus said this week.
The Bok coach explained his ‘philosophy’ about the position.
“The only place where a player plays No.8 is in the scrum,” he said.
“In the line-outs it depends if you jump in the line-outs.
“If you have two tall flanks, you don’t need a No.8 who jumps in the line-outs.
“You can let your No.8 stay back from a restart, chase from a restart, you can put him near the front of a line-out or put him in the backline.
“People don’t have to agree with me, but in my view the No.8 doesn’t have that tag of being the link between the forwards and backs.
“[Captain] Siya [Kolisi] doesn’t play No.6 like a traditional [South African] No.6.
“At the Boks, No.7 is the tall player who jumps in the line-outs.
“As long as No.6 and No.8 complement each other, then it suits us.
“I’m not saying everyone should see it that way; that is how we see it.”
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