Analysis: How the Springbok defence hunt as a pack to feed their Jackals
“This position will be held, and the section will remain here until relieved. The enemy cannot be allowed to interfere with the programme. If the section cannot remain here alive, it will remain here dead, but in any case, it will remain here. Should any man through shellshock or other cause attempt to surrender, he will remain here dead. Should all guns be blown out, the section will use Mils grenades and other novelties. Finally, the position, as stated, will be held”
Lieutenant Frank Bethune, No. 1 section, 3rd MG Company, AIF – Passchendale, March 1918
Effective defence in any enterprise aligns with common principles; preparation, adaptability, organisation, communication, numbers and clarity in decision making. But the key one is determination.
Determination epitomises a successful defence. Lieutenant Bethunes’ orders evoked desperation that was exemplified by the feat they achieved. His section held their position for eighteen days, repulsing repeated waves of the German attack, before they were relieved, exhausted, but alive. His orders would later be published by the allies as an embodiment of the spirit that won the war.
The same principles apply in Rugby. Work-rate, the desire to get back in the line, all points to desperation. Eddie Jones famously stated the only metric he looks at in statistics is the time it takes for a tackler to get himself back in the line post-tackle.
Jacques Nienaber, the South African defence coach developed a defence that along with the set-piece, won them the Rugby Championship and World Cup.
We know the nutcracker to beat these defences will be found, but before we do, it’s worth knowing what we’re fighting, hence this series on the dynamics of the South African D.
The Nienaber tackling class
Nienaber is more than a clever defence coach. In certain ways, he has revolutionised rugby defence. His defence is high reward, and through the work-rate, detail and intelligence involved, not even that high risk.
This was particularly evident in Nienabers’ focus on the breakdown.
The breakdown is arguably the most important facet of rugby, and as such, Nienaber wanted to use all elements at his disposal to turn it in his favour.
He wanted to do this in three main ways;
- Provide his Jackals time advantage in their chosen opportunities.
- Encourage ill-disciplined clear-outs through frustration.
- Disrupt quick ball as much as possible.
The last one, in particular, is essential. Ruck speed is a key focus in Attack. With quick ball; the line can’t set and disorganisation creeps in, resulting in the gaps an attack wants to see.
Nienaber wanted to stop this, which is why a year ago, we saw defenders rolling into the cleaner’s post tackle, as to complicate the opposition clear-out and create slow ball. He evolved this in a few ways, so opposition delivery was as slow and as problematic as possible.
This way, he had a chance to influence one of the prevalent parts of the game to his advantage as many occasions as possible. They did this, through a change in thinking and simple decision making in tackle technique.
The Fist
The first tackle technique naturally makes use of South Africas’ out-in rush that we will explain more in the next article. It’s used in “off-9” and “off-10” play and is designed to achieve Nienaber’s first objective.
- Provide his Jackals time advantage in their chosen opportunities.
Francois Louw, Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermuelen, and Malcolm Marx are renowned for their “limpet” like strength over the ball. Nienaber has created “the fist” to further assist them.
Resembling a hand curling into a fist, this has been proven to provide likely chances of penalties. In the fist, the third/fourth defender (shooter) rushes up off the line in their out-in rush, forming the familiar “triangle” that we see from many teams, including England and New Zealand.
However, the South African shooters’ objective is different from these sides. Whereas most sides try to force the player backward, South Africa force the player sideways.
This is the “close” portion of the fist, where the rush cuts off the outside channels, with the last “shooter” making the tackle from the outside in, controlling the carriers’ final body position and forcing him inside.
In both these examples, we see the last shooter (13) rush up to cut off the outside options, forcing the carrier back inside.
This is done for four reasons;
- To isolate the carrier from his support, usually positioned behind or outside.
- To ensure the tackle is easier in one-on-one tackles.
- To decrease the chances of next phase wide play due to opposition resourcing of the ruck.
- To drive the carrier into positions where the “Jackal” can be applied to the greatest effect.
This is demonstrated in their lineout defence. South Africa often places either the hooker, a proficient jackalling back-row or both at tail-gunner.
If the opposition lineout is shortened, they position two members of the backrow in the ten channel, with the tail-gunner alternating between the hooker and the last member of the backrow.
We can see this with Siya Kolisi and Pieter Steph-Du Toit in the ten channel, with Steph-Du Toit closing Hamish Watson into Duane Vermuelen.
The way the South African lineout defence is set means that if the ‘close’ is successful on the first phase, you direct the carrier into any two of three breakdown specialists who in some cases can get enough space like below to pounce and anchor themselves.
Nienabers’ philosophy is that the best time for the turnover to occur is on the first phase when the opposition are firmly in attack sequence.
Turnover on the first phase exacerbates the danger of transition attack considerably more.
This was why England threw to the rear of the lineout repeatedly against South Africa in 2018, to hold them and prevent contesting on first phase crash ball, such was Ben Teo’s role.
This ‘drive’ sideways can isolate the carrier on any phase though, not just the first, which brings us to the ‘lock’. When your fingers have closed, all that’s left is to lock the thumb. This is the ‘lock’ stage, which is where we start to see Nienabers’ intellect.
As we have most likely gathered, the ‘close’ is designed to drive the ball carrier towards the jackals. However, the way South Africa pick their moments to execute this is genius.
We see Kolisi manage to close Kieran Read into the path of Malcolm Marx.
Here New Zealand have a man over, which engages Makazole Mapimpi on the close. He shoots up, hitting Ben Smith in the side and pushing him inside, where we can see Louw.
Louw gets into a position where he can be a nuisance to the New Zealand delivery.
By the time Smith is grounded, Louw is ready to pounce, nearly gaining a turnover.
As we can see against Wales, the South African defence starts wide to angle in so they’re always angling the carrier back towards the ruck.
We even see Franco Mostert join Jesse Kriel to ensure Jonathan Davies is pushed into the loving and eager arms of Marx and Kolisi.
The Pencil
The Pencil is a technique that can buy into the ‘fist’. However, we usually see it outside of the fourth defender when the ball has hit two passes. Where the defence is more reliant on one-on-one tackles.
This takes care of the last two objectives;
- Encourage ill-disciplined clear-outs through frustration.
- Disrupt quick ball as much as possible.
We see the tackler go low, and by low, I mean taking a knee.
This is because the intention isn’t to dominate the hit but to ride contact and finish in a “pencil” position. This kneeling means they’re dragged into this position.
Once here, the tackler remains for a good second after the tackle has been grounded to feign tackle completion to the referee, amongst other agendas.
The Springboks want to cause problems for players arriving “legally”. By laying behind in the lane and delaying a little, the cleaners don’t have a clear entry into the gate.
If the cleaner shows caution, this can result in an ineffective cleanout against the jackals.
This turnover is off the back of the New Zealand “sweep”, a move that Nienaber clearly targeted as a turnover opportunity due to the isolation it leaves the winger Rieko Ioane in.
Willie Le Roux comes in for the tackle and like Jesse Kriel, he’s kneeling, a far cry from the “cheek to cheek, straight spine step in” technique taught as schoolboys.
This plant means Le Roux is dragged into this “pencil” position, affecting the efficacy of the clear-out. Ryan Crotty is unable to shift Kriel, resulting in the penalty.
Alternatively, they come in from the side, resulting in penalties.
We see the result, as is in a perfect pencil, which causes Sam Cane to come in from the side in what should have been a clear penalty.
This principle is followed often with one-on-one tackles, and as we can see, referees are very lenient to it as its part of the tackle, which they’re simply completing.
This tackle completion inhibits the attacking momentum, and when it happens as often as it does, it can result in frustration that manifests itself in players leading with the shoulder, or coming through the side. Penalty earned. Objective two and three achieved.
Nienaber’s defence is unconventional and unbelievably innovative.
Yet it defies everything a player may have been taught growing up. To keep the line straight and connected, to tackle and drive backward.
In the next article, we’ll discuss more of these innovations and how we could see ways to beat them going forward, but the forward-thinking can’t be denied.
By ignoring convention and embracing innovation, Nienaber has created a defence that is arguably the finest in World Rugby. Now his position as the Head Coach is confirmed, more of this thinking will be seen going forward.
This can only be good for South Africa.
New Boks coach Nienaber talks to the media:
Comments on RugbyPass
Like others, I am not seeing the connection between this edition of the Crusaders and the All Blacks future prospects under Razor. I think the analysis of the Crusaders attack recently is helpful because Razor and his coaching team used to be able to slot new guys in to their systems and see them succeed. Several of Razor’s coaches are still there so it would be surprising if the current attack and set piece has been overhauled to a great extent - but based on that analysis, it may have been. Whether it is too many new guys due to injuries or retirement or a failure of current Crusaders systems is the main question to be answered imo. It doesn’t seem relevant for the ABs.
3 Go to commentsharry potter is set in stone. he creates stability and finishes well. exactly what schmidt likes. he’s the ben smith of australian rugby. i think it could quite easily be potter toole and kellaway for the foreseeable future.
5 Go to commentsThis is short sighted from Clayton if you ask me, smacks of too much preseason planning and no adaptability. What if DMac is out for a must win match, are they still only going to bring their best first five and playmaker on late in the game? Trusting the game to someone who wasn’t even part of planning (they would have had Trask pinned in as Jacomb preseason). Perhaps if the Crusaders were better they would not have done this, but either way imo you take this opportunity to play a guy you might need starting in a final rather than having their 12th game getting comfortable coming off the bench.
1 Go to commentsThanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.
21 Go to commentsWhat a load of bollocks. The author has forgotten to mention the fact that the Crusaders have a huge injury toll with top world class players out. Not to mention the fact that they are obviously in a transition period. No this will not spark a slow death for NZ rugby, but it does mean there will be a new Super Rugby champion. Anyone who knows anything about NZ rugby knows that there is some serious talent here, it just isn’t all at the Crusaders.
3 Go to commentsI wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
5 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
7 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to comments