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The Mostert verdict on recent criticism of Springboks' bomb squad
Springboks utility forward Franco Mostert has defended the ‘bomb squad’ amid recent public scrutiny. Questions surrounding the effectiveness of South Africa’s bench have surfaced following The Rugby Championship season.
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The bomb squad was used to great effect during the Springboks’ 2019 World Cup triumph by Rassie Erasmus, the former Springboks coach and now SA director of rugby. The six-two split (six forwards and two backs on the bench) become entrenched in the nation’s history and was integral in their 32-12 win over England in the final.
Against Australia during this year’s Rugby Championship opener, the tactic again excelled, handing the Springboks a 43-12 victory in Pretoria. However, it was diffused by the All Blacks in a 20-35 defeat in Auckland.
New Zealand rushed to a 20-3 lead at the break and despite the world champions being a more determined unit in the second half with some big names coming off the bench, the All Blacks still managed to finish strongly to secure the win.
The defeat saw the Boks management under head coach Jacques Nienaber forgo the six-two split against Argentina last weekend, which almost proved to be costly as the pack struggled in the closing stages. They conceded two late tries but managed to hold on for a narrow 22-21 win in Johannesburg.
This Saturday in Buenos Aires, they will again take to the field with a five-three split and while concerns continue to pile up, Mostert, an original member of the 2019 World Cup bomb squad, said there was very little worry inside the camp. “The Springboks management – Rassie Erasmus, Jacques Nienaber and Felix Jones – all have good plans,” Mostert said.
“They are trying to work out combinations ahead of the World Cup, which is a good thing. They are looking at strong points and hopefully, it will work. There is no stress around the bomb squad. Rassie and the team have a plan and we back them 100 per cent.”
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Heading into the World Cup warm-up match against a fired-up Argentinian side, Mostert urged his team to be more clinical at the lineout. “At the moment we are not happy with it. We can be more clean and positive with our own ball.
“We are working on it and working to get it right closer towards the World Cup. With contesting we are very happy. We have leaders like Eben Etzebeth and Jean Kleyn who make it very difficult for the opponents.”
He added: “In Buenos Aires, it’s always a very physical outing. With the game they [Argentina] played in Johannesburg they were so close, so this weekend they will be eager to play. Hopefully, we can give a big performance and match them.”
The match against Los Pumas will be the Springboks’ final game before Nienaber names the 33-man squad on Tuesday that will travel to France to defend the World Cup title.
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Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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