The ‘bomb squad’ has become a potent weapon for the Boks when they’ve wanted to close out games. Photo: SABC Sport
ANALYSIS: How the Springboks and All Blacks use their benches
Ahead of the Rugby World Cup final, a Wallaby great has weighed in on how the Springboks and the All Blacks use their replacements.
The ‘bomb squad’ has become a potent weapon for the Boks when they’ve wanted to close out games. Photo: SABC Sport
The Springboks take on great rivals the All Blacks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, after the two sides overcame their opponents in two very different semi-finals in Paris last weekend.
New Zealand swept aside Argentina 44-6 with ease in a seven-try display of flowing rugby. South Africa on the other hand grinded out a 16-15 win over England in wet conditions.
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The South African coaching team’s use of their substitutions made all the difference, with the likes of RG Snyman and Ox Nche featuring in the final 10 minutes to help the Boks overturn a 9-point deficit.
Former Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell observed the way the Springboks and the All Blacks use their respective benches and sees this as a decisive area of the game and where Saturday’s final could be won and lost.
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“The difference between the All Blacks and the South Africans, in terms of their bench – I feel like New Zealand use their bench when they have to, whereas South Africa use their bench because they want to,” Mitchell said on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast.
“In the All Blacks’ quarter-final, [Damian] McKenzie didn’t get many minutes. There were a number of players that only came on really late, almost like players were just out on their feet so they would’ve replaced them.
“Whereas South Africa tactically go out there and make those decisions.”
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Springbok flyhalf getting the “shepherd’s hook”
One of these tactical decisions was made in the 31st minute, where flyhalf Manie Libbok was replaced by Handré Pollard. Pollard appeared to marshal the backline with more experience while his cool head saw him slot the winning penalty in the 78th minute.
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“Against England was probably a different story, because they were under the pump,” Mitchell added. “Libbok gets taken off after 31 minutes, and all their bench was cleared before the 60th-minute mark.
“There [the Boks] were obviously trying to initiate a bit of a change.”
The Springboks will play the All Blacks for the first time in a Rugby World Cup final since 1995. Kick-off on Saturday at the Stade de France is at 21h00 (SA time.)
