'We don't really care': Rassie addresses reaction to Boks' bench split
SPOTLIGHT: South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus says the Springbok camp didn’t pay much attention to all the outside noise around the make-up of their bench against the All Blacks at Twickenham.
The Boks had a seven-one split between forwards and backs on the bench for the match after Willie le Roux was withdrawn due to a rib injury. Loose forward Kwagga Smith was his replacement, which meant that scrumhalf Cobus Reinach was the only backline cover.
The rugby world was fascinated by the innovation and former Scotland coach Matt Williams garnered most of the headlines in the aftermath when he criticised the Boks by saying “the South Africans are just abusing the bench at the moment”.
Rassie couldn’t see what all the fuss was about.
“We are in a bit of a bubble here [in camp] and we are focussing on what we are trying to do and how we can be successful in this World Cup,” said Erasmus.
“We are doing our planning and team selection and spreading the load between our players. We can’t really care how other teams are doing it and what their opinions are.
“We are just staying within the regulations and the laws of the game.
“For us, it is about what is best for our team and what works for our team and that won’t be the same from one weekend to the next.
“We don’t really care what other teams or people are saying about it. It is what is best for South Africa and the Springboks.”
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#OPINION: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White shares his thoughts on South Africa’s record win over the All Blacks and the upcoming World Cup 👇#RWC2023 #SouthAfrica #Springboks #NewZealand #AllBlacks #NZLvRSA https://t.co/4e2tGa32pP
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Erasmus knew that his team would be well within the laws of the game
“I really didn’t pay much attention to it [the reaction],” he said.
“If it was something that we had done wrong, then it would have been something that bothered me.
“I know all the laws and regulations really well. If you are a coach at this level and you work at this level, you know the laws of the game.
“If it was something we did wrong, then obviously it would have bothered me.
“Not to be arrogant, but it wouldn’t help us if we took note of all the hoo-ha because it wasn’t anything we did wrong.
“I’m not surprised [by the reactions] because obviously it is something a bit new and people like to chat about that.”
When asked if there is a team in the world that can match the Boks’ seven-one split, Erasmus said: “Of course.”
He added: “Nobody had six-two splits and then New Zealand had a six-two split against us last weekend.
“After we did the six-two [split] in Japan [in 2019], Eddie [Jones] has done it with his team and Scotland has done it.
“Glasgow, who has most of the Scotland players, does it.
“A lot of the teams around the world have six-two splits now, so seven-one is only one backline player less and only one forward more.
“Do other teams have better backs than forwards? It depends on the make-up of the team. It depends on whether the team buys into it and whether they believe in it.
“It’s definitely not something you can use week in and week out. You can’t roll the dice every weekend and I can’t talk for the other teams.
“I do know that if we get the opportunity and the best players that we want to get on the field consists out of a seven-one split, then we will definitely use it again, but that will be when the situation is right and if we think the opposition will struggle to handle it.
“There are other teams that will handle that with a breeze.”
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