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Springboks bench tells you all you need to know about their tactics for Japan
Much has been made of the experience of the Springboks named to take on Japan in their do-or-die match with Japan this weekend, but you only need look at the bench to see how Rassie Erasmus is planning to play the World Cup’s form side.
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With 665 caps in the starting XV, it is the most in a Springbok team since the 2015 Rugby World Cup; when the squad included three Test centurions in Jean de Villiers, Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana.
With an average of 44 caps, that’s a huge amount of IP to bring to bear against the Japanese. However, it’s the bench split that should worry Japan.
Erasmus again announced a six-two replacement split in favour of the forwards – rather than the traditional five-three – as was successfully deployed against the Azzurri.
“We will look at our replacement strategy on a game-by-game basis and for this opponent on this occasion we believe we’ll need fresh legs among the forwards at some point,” said Erasmus.
“We’re very fortunate in that we have a squad that has a number of highly versatile players among forwards and backs who can slot into a number of positions to cover all eventualities.”
The starting pack itself tips the scales at 900kg (or just over 112.5kg a man, a relatively modest amount for a Springbok pack). Erasmus will however have the luxury of a calling upon a heavy-duty bench. The six forward finishers average 114.6kg and stand 191cm tall a man.
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Translated – the Springboks want to turn to this into a forward arm wrestle and brute force their way through Japan. It’s not rocket science, but few teams can strong arms sides quite like the South Africans.
‘Even experts, we can’t tell on some of the concussions. It's a very diverse, varied sort of reaction to head injury. Every person is different’
– Dr Rahul Jandial on what message @owen_faz not needing @rugbyworldcup HIAs sends out to grassroots rugby https://t.co/qXyyECYsjl— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 17, 2019
When asked about the split, replacement prop Steven Kitshoff described it as “massively important”.
“(With) six forwards on the bench, the starters can give their all and play their hearts out for as long as possible.
“A fresh pair of legs can just come on and keep doing what the previous player was doing, and bring even more intensity.
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“In big games, it comes down to the last 20 minutes – who is in it more, who has more power in their legs to win the close games towards the end.”
The Springbok team to play Japan in Tokyo:
15. Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz, Japan), 58 caps – 60 points (12 tries)
14. Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse, France), 12 – 35 (7t)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), 12 – 15 (3t)
12. Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers), 44 – 25 (5t)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), 11 – 55 (11t)
10. Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), 45 – 410 (6t, 70c, 76p, 4d)
9. Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks, England), 27 – 15 (3t)
8. Duane Vermeulen (Vodacom Bulls), 51 – 15 (3t)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers), 52 – 25 (5t)
6. Siya Kolisi (captain, DHL Stormers), 47 – 30 (6t)
5. Lood de Jager (Vodacom Bulls) 42 – 25 (5t)
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Stormers), 82 – 15 (3t)
3. Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), 35 – 5 (1t)
2. Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers), 33 – 35 (7t)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), 114 – 10 (2t)
Replacements:
16. Malcolm Marx (Emirates Lions), 30 – 25 (5t)
17. Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), 44 – 5 (1t)
18. Vincent Koch (Saracens, England) 18 – 0
19. RG Snyman (Vodacom Bulls), 20 – 5 (1t)
20. Franco Mostert (Gloucester, England), 36 – 5 (1t)
21. Francois Louw (Bath, England), 73 – 50 (10t)
22. Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), 8 – 20 (4t)
23. Frans Steyn (Montpellier, France), 64 – 141 (11t, 7c, 21p, 3d)
– additional reporting SA Rugby
Comments on RugbyPass
“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30” No it isn’t lol
1 Go to commentsTyrel Lomax the best AB prop since Carl Hayman. Absolutely destroyed the Boks in RWC Final and is monstering allcomers in Super this season. Should be a monster battle vs touring Poms, always deliver a power pack.
1 Go to commentsEye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
42 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
42 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
42 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments