Springboks cleared to use 7-1 Bomb Squad split

Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber is free to use a seven-one replacements bench split at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

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The Springboks loaded their bench with seven forwards and just one backline player in their recent 35-7 thrashing of the All Blacks at Twickenham in London.

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Nienaber had initially selected a 5-2 split, but shortly ahead of kick-off fullback Willie le Roux was withdrawn and replaced by loose forward Kwagga Smith, making it a 7-1 Bomb Squad.

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Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden and Smith all featured as substitutes against New Zealand, with scrumhalf Cobus Reinach the lone backline replacement.

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Critics were quick to raise safety concerns, but World Rugby are satisfied that the ploy does not carry any heightened risk to players, according to the Evening Standard.

International regulations only require that a replacement front-row (tighthead prop, loosehead prop and hooker) be selected on the bench.

Beyond that teams are free to complete their eight-player bench however they see fit.

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Former Scotland head coach Matt Williams accused South Africa of “abusing” the bench with their tactic, as reported by The South African website.

Williams believes the 7-1 split should be outlawed and urged World Rugby to set new limits, but the governing body will not change the regulations, leaving the Springboks free to stack their bench full of forwards.

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The Springboks have been drawn in Pool B at the 2023 Rugby World Cup along with Scotland, Ireland, Romania and Tonga.

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The winner of the pool will face the runner-up in Pool A while the second-placed finisher in Pool B will take on the winner of Pool A in the quarter-finals.

Pool A consists of hosts France, New Zealand, Italy, Uruguay and Namibia.

SPRINGBOKS’ RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL B FIXTURES

All times SA

Sunday, 10 September – Springboks v Scotland, Stade Velodrome, Marseille – 17:45
Sunday, 17 September – Springboks v Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux – 15:00
Saturday, 23 September – Springboks v Ireland, Stade de France, Paris – 21:00
Sunday, 1 October – Springboks v Tonga, Stade Velodrome, Marseille – 21:00

SOUTH AFRICAN SQUAD

Forwards: Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Jean Kleyn, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese

Backs: Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie

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Should the Springboks consider a 7-1 substitutes bench?

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