Nienaber says lights are used as it is difficult for coaches to hear their support staff. Photo: @delinquenzanews/ Twitter
WATCH: Springbok coach denies traffic light system used for ‘tactics’ [video]
The Bok coaching team used a ‘traffic light system’ in Marseille in what was thought to be tactical, but head coach Nienaber has denied this.
Nienaber says lights are used as it is difficult for coaches to hear their support staff. Photo: @delinquenzanews/ Twitter
During South Africa’s 18-3 Rugby World Cup opening win over Scotland in Marseille on Sunday, the cameras panned to the Springbok coaching box on a few occasions where SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and assistant coach Felix Jones were seen shining handheld ‘traffic lights’ at the players.
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It was thought that these traffic light signals were being used to influence the team’s decision-making on the field. During the post-match press conference, head coach Jacques Nienaber insisted that this was not a new system in carrying messages over the noise of a packed house, and that it was for used for injuries and substitutions:
When the Springboks were awarded a first-half penalty in an attacking position, the TV cameras panned to the South Africa coaching box where assistant Felix Jones raised a red traffic light.
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South Africa flyhalf Manie Libbok then pointed to the posts to indicate he wanted to have a shot at goal. Libbok slotted the three points, having missed an earlier attempt.
The use of the light certainly caught the eye and suggested the red signal was meant to inform on-field captain Siya Kolisi that the coaches wanted him to take the points on offer.
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There was a second incident shortly thereafter where Rassie Erasmus had the light in hand and again the Springboks opted to kick at goal.
Once again Nienaber was adamant that the communication was only about injury and that the duo were not trying to influence events on the field:
The practice of utilising traffic lights to convey messages to players on the rugby field is far from novel. Erasmus first experimented with this innovation while coaching the Cheetahs in Super Rugby.
Also, coaches routinely pass on messages to their players through designated envoys on the sideline, often in the form of water boys.
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Nienaber himself used to perform this role when he was with Munster, as well as when he served as the Springbok defence coach. It was believed that he took advantage of his physiotherapy qualifications to wear a medical bib.
During the 2021 British and Irish Lions series, Erasmus gained notoriety as the highest-paid “water boy” in the world, but World Rugby intervened to put an end to this.
