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How the current Springboks compare to the 2015 All Blacks in final quarter dominance
By Adam Julian
The importance of the bench in contemporary rugby is best illustrated by the Springboks’ much-vaunted “bomb squad” in recent years.
The Springboks’ use of tactical substitutions is more brazen than that of any other country. It has included emptying the entire bench at once, replacing their captain at half-time, and selecting seven forwards and just a single back.
How does one truly measure the effectiveness of the bench? The score over the last 20 minutes, when most replacements are typically on the field or have a chance to make an impact, is a good indicator.
In their last 12 Rugby World Cup games, the Springboks have outscored opponents 143-24 in the last 20 minutes. In their three single-point victories in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, South Africa didn’t concede a point in the last twenty minutes.
The Springboks have mirrored that dominance in the last quarter, maintaining their world number one ranking in 2024 and 2025. In the last twenty minutes of their previous 27 Tests, South Africa have outscored opponents 355-119.
South Africa lost twice in 2024. In each of those defeats, they failed to win the last 20 minutes.
In 2025, South Africa piled on a staggering 26 unanswered points against the All Blacks in the last twenty minutes of a record triumph in Wellington. On their unblemished Northern Tour, they only conceded a single try in the last quarter of five internationals, outscoring opponents 78-5, even while often playing with fewer than 15 players.
In the professional era, management of greater workloads and superior tactical awareness has increased the importance of the bench. Still, there hasn’t been a strong narrative around outstanding bench performances or players because, for a long time, it was seen merely as a way to replace injured players. This is no longer the case.
Greatest Bench Performance?
The first-ever substitute in international rugby was used in 1968, when the British and Irish Lions played against the Springboks. Irish legend Mike Gibson came onto the field during the match, which the Lions lost 25-20.
That same year, Ian Kirkpatrick was in the members’ stand at the Sydney Cricket Ground when he received a historic call-up. As the first injury substitute for the All Blacks, he scored three tries in their 27-11 victory over Australia. Kirkpatrick was the first All Black to score three tries in a Test match since Pat Caughey accomplished the feat against Scotland in 1935.
Kirkpatrick recalled, “BJ (Lochore) tore his hamstring and broke his thumb, so the warm-up was just walking down the stairs of the members’ stand. I don’t remember the tries; I think I fluked them.”
Kirkpatrick had suffered a thumb injury shortly before the match but did not disclose its severity to the selectors. Instead, he paid an Australian Olympic shot put representative $2 for regular massages to manage the pain.
Two of the most memorable moments in Rugby World Cup history involved replacement players. In the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, Stephen Donald kicked a crucial penalty in the 46th minute for the All Blacks against France, bringing the score to 8-0. The final score was 8-7, and his story was later made into a film.
In 2015, Karne Hesketh scored one of the most famous tries in international rugby history when he dotted down in the corner during a match in Brighton, leading Japan to a stunning 34-32 victory over the Springboks. Hesketh is married to Carla Hohepa, a World Cup winner with the Black Ferns. In 2021, Dane Coles scored four tries off the bench for the All Blacks in a 57-23 victory against Fiji in Dunedin.
Who could forget the remarkable performance of the Springboks in their 16-15 Rugby World Cup semi-final win against England in 2023? The match saw powerhouse scrummaging by Ox Nche signal a momentum shift, followed by a try from the formidable lock RG Snyman. Dead-eye goal-kicking from Handre Pollard ultimately secured South Africa’s victory.
All Blacks Next Level
Undoubtedly, the All Blacks represent the most dominant rugby dynasty in history. From their 33-6 victory over Australia on September 19, 2009, to their 29-40 defeat against Ireland in Chicago on November 9, 2016, the All Blacks secured two Rugby World Cups and won 88 out of 97 Test matches during this period.
The influence of the reserves during this time was significant. When the All Blacks triumphed in the Rugby World Cup in 2011, they did not concede a single point in the last 20 minutes of their final four matches. In 2015, they outscored their opponents 95-10 in the final twenty minutes, with 41 of those points coming during the playoffs.
In their flawless 14-0 season in 2013, the All Blacks outscored opponents 183-53 in the last half hour of all their matches.
Hooker Keven Mealamu had a distinguished career, starting 55 of his 132 Test matches from the bench. He achieved 47 wins as a reserve and remained unbeaten in 27 Tests from 2009 to 2015.
Before Daniel Carter’s retirement in 2015, Beauden Barrett rarely started for the All Blacks but was highly effective in a support role and across the backline. By the end of 2023, Barrett had been a replacement in 40 Tests and had only lost once. His most memorable contribution was scoring a try in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, but it’s worth noting the 26 points he scored off the bench against Wales in 2016. Additionally, his tackle on Willie Le Roux was pivotal in the All Blacks’ thrilling 38-27 victory against the Springboks at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, in 2013.
Sonny Bill Williams also proved to be a formidable impact player, winning 15 out of 16 Tests from the bench. His contributions during the 2011 Rugby World Cup included 348 minutes on the field and four tries. His offload to Ma’a Nonu for the first try after halftime in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final against Australia remains iconic.
Wyatt Crockett, a prop, holds the highest winning percentage of any player in international rugby, winning 66 of his 71 Tests (92.96%). He set the world record for most consecutive Test victories with 32 from 2014 to 2017 and won 42 out of 46 Tests played off the bench. Ironically, as a starter, he was undefeated with 24 wins and a draw against Australia. Ben Franks also demonstrated reliability in short bursts, with 40 Tests as a substitute and 36 wins.
Charlie Faumuina, a Rugby World Cup winner in 2015, contributed 432 minutes across 13 Tests in 2016, achieving 12 victories. A crucial try he scored in the second half of a Test against France in Paris shifted the momentum in favour of the All Blacks. All Blacks scrum coach at the time, Mike Cron, observed.
“He was an explosive athlete, light on his feet with great skills, which is unusual for a big man. He was strong in the scrum and could really change games, especially from the bench, where he could use his size and skill against a tiring opposition.”
Between 2009 and 2016, the All Blacks were well served by several skilful and feisty halfbacks. Tawera Kerr-Barlow started only twice in 27 Tests but was instrumental in two of the most successful seasons in All Blacks history. In 2013, he was part of the All Blacks’ unprecedented 14 consecutive Test wins in a calendar year. In 2015, he contributed to the World Cup-winning team, coming off the bench in five matches and scoring two tries in the quarter-final against France.
Piri Weepu is best known for his composure during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. As a reserve, he excelled with 46 of his 71 appearances coming off the bench, achieving 39 wins, including a try against Australia in Brisbane in 2008 that helped the All Blacks secure a tight 28-24 victory. TJ Perenara also enjoyed 47 of his 71 Test wins coming from the bench.
Flanker Richie McCaw holds the world record for most Test wins with 131, having achieved a perfect 7-0 record off the bench.
The strength of the Springboks lies not in individual players but in their tactical approach and the sheer size and power of their forwards, especially when facing fatigued opponents.
Kwagga Smith exemplifies the ideal bench player. With a background in Sevens rugby, he is fast, strong, versatile, and skilful. Smith has won 33 of his 42 Test matches as a substitute and can cover all three back row positions, as well as play in midfield and on the wing when needed. During the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, he made a significant impact by securing three turnovers in the final 23 minutes, helping ensure a narrow 12-11 victory over the All Blacks.
Malcolm Marx was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2025. He could have received the accolade in 2019 after his explosive performances in the Rugby World Cup. He played 189 minutes in five matches as a substitute, famously entering the final against England just 20 minutes into the game. Throughout his career, he has started in only 48 of his 88 Test matches.
Francois Steyn, a double World Cup winner, remained an essential player throughout his career, thanks to his powerful kicking and versatility. Between 2017 and 2019, he made 15 appearances off the bench, losing only once. His late penalty that clinched the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final victory was one of his final contributions in a Springboks jersey.
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