Rassie responds to World Rugby's big 'Bomb Squad' decision
SPOTLIGHT: Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus is living his best life with the news that his highly controversial 7-1 bench split tactic will continue to cause havoc, thanks to World Rugby’s latest comments.
The 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench was made famous by Erasmus.
He first utilized the tactic for the 2023 World Cup warm-up match against the All Blacks at Twickenham. The Springboks went on to claim a record 35-7 victory.
Gaining massive success, Erasmus used the tactic twice during the 2023 World Cup, against Ireland in the pool stage and the All Blacks in the Final.
France coach Fabian Galthie followed the blueprint and successfully deployed the ‘Bomb Squad’ during three Six Nations matches, including a 42-27 win over Ireland in Dublin.
The Springboks and Les Blues’ triumphs have left many in the rugby fraternity disgruntled, with high-profile figures calling for World Rugby to ban the tactic, citing that player safety is at risk.
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However, despite the uproar, World Rugby’s top bosses have no qualms with the 6-2 or 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench, the Guardian reported.
The news outlet revealed that the newly elected World Rugby chairman, Brett Robinson, acknowledged that 7-1 splits raise questions over the spirit of the game.
However, having made it a priority to increase fatigue in the sport, the governing body does not see a scientific issue with teams loading their benches with forwards.
Speaking to the Guardian, World Rugby’s chief executive, Alan Gilpin, said: “We looked at it from a science, medicine perspective. Was there a distinctive view that a bunch of fresh players coming on with 20‑30 minutes to go is going to create a more injurious position and the science said that’s not the case.
“So there was no reason from that perspective to look at how we might do replacements differently.
“Ultimately, there are a lot of different ways to win a rugby match.”
In a very short X post, Erasmus made his feelings clear regarding the news.
Erasmus reposted the Guardian article on X with the caption ‘So Lekka’, accompanied by South Africa and France flags.
So Lekka 🇿🇦 🇫🇷. https://t.co/RMPetjiN43
— Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) April 8, 2025
Meanwhile, the Guardian also revealed that World Rugby will vote next month on the future of the 20-minute red card.
If the vote passes, 20‑minute red cards will be introduced to the Premiership and the Women’s World Cup this year.
“There’s a lot of evidence to support that it’s keeping the contest alive, which is obviously important to us,” Gilpin said.
“There are definitely those in the game who are against it and believe that 20-minute red cards mean there will not be any old‑fashioned red cards and therefore, they’re against the proposal, and there are a lot of people supportive of it.”
Source: The Guardian
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