Why Springboks chose not to select six/two bench versus England
Springboks boss Jacques Nienaber has explained why they have kept Elton Jantjies in their matchday 23 to take on England next Saturday at Twickenham rather than select an extra forward on their replacements bench for their final match of the Autumn Nations Series. Jantjies was a starter in the win over Scotland last weekend and while he has now conceded the No10 jersey to Handre Pollard, he has been given a role as the No22 in London rather than miss out altogether.
It was at the 2019 World Cup, which culminated in the dominant win over a bruised England in the final, where the Springboks made regular use of a six/two forwards/backs split on their bench. This tactic gave them an edge in the end-game physical stakes. However, while their bomb squad still had a reputation for destruction, especially the early use of their replacement front-rowers, the six/two tactic has become largely redundant under Nienaber.
In the 13 Springboks teams he has named, including the 23 for this Saturday’s showdown with England, Nienaber has gone with a five/three bench split on ten occasions, meaning the six replacement forwards have been selected in only three games – the second Test versus the Lions in July and the two September games versus the Wallabies in September, both of which were lost.
At the World Cup final two years ago, Herschel Jantjies and Frans Steyn were the only two backs chosen on the bench along with six forwards. However, rather than reprise that type of Springboks selection, Nienaber has gone with three backs for this weekend’s rematch by including Elton Jantjies as another reserve.
Why? “We had certain internal goals and things we wanted to do in the end of year tour, trying not to compromise or lose momentum,” he explained. “Whenever we made a change we said this was a rotational change or not a rotational.
Tuesday's team announcement media briefing didn't pass without reference to Rassie Erasmus and also the World Rugby awards shortlists #Springboks #ENGvRSA #AutumnNationsSeries #Englandhttps://t.co/Y2qfKDNkBn
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 16, 2021
“I thought Elton was outstanding last weekend and it was good to give him a start, the way he trained and the way I thought he performed in the games he started he is really pushing hard, but I thought Handre did well when he came on and with Elton on the bench it gives us that little bit of versatility in terms of the back end of the game depending on if you are chasing the game or if you are in control you can make certain substitutions – so it gives us a little bit of versatility.”
While the six/two replacements tactic is apparently on hold then in the Nienaber era, a different type of tactic from the past is now suddenly being persisted with – that of selecting midfielder Jesse Kriel on the right wing. Not since September 2018 had the 27-year-old been considered as a winger, but he will start a third consecutive game in that position when he runs out at Twickenham.
It needed an injury to Cheslin Kolbe and red tape surrounding the paperwork of Sbu Nkosi to get Kriel into the No14 jersey to take on Wales at the start of the tour, but he has kept hold of it since then despite Nkosi clearing up his status and now being available for selection.
“There was a big discussion about maybe getting Subu back in the mix,” admitted Nienaber. “He joined us a little bit late in terms of his passport and his travel documents.
“I thought Jesse in the first game against Wales and the step-up he made in the second game against Scotland, especially with all the different variations Scotland can bring to their game in terms of a kicking game, in terms of a passing game, he adapted well and he had a solid performance.
“This end of year tour we want to continue keeping momentum but we also want to try a couple of things and build some experience in certain players in certain positions just to get some versatility. That was our thinking around that.”
There was an apprehension last week when the uncapped Bevan Rodd, 21, was flung in for a debut England start at the 11th hour… #England #ENGvRSA #AutumnNationsSeries #Springbokshttps://t.co/brGF2luJX8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 16, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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.
4 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.
5 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 commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
4 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to comments