When the Springboks set their sights on a Rugby Championship scrum, they're not just pushing the opposition around—they're rewriting the laws of physics. That's the only logical explanation for their recent display of scrum supremacy, especially during their nail-biting 29-27 triumph over Argentina at Twickenham. This victory not only secured them back-to-back titles but also left a couple of England rugby legends absolutely gobsmacked.
The scene was almost ludicrous: seven Springboks, one man down with Canan Moodie cooling his heels in the sin bin, managed to bulldoze Argentina's full eight-man pack. It was a moment that had spectators and experts alike picking their jaws up off the floor. Even the hardened veterans from England couldn't help but lavish praise on this show of brute force.
"The Springboks, rightly so, have won it back-to-back. They’re the best team in the tournament. But it’s berserk when you’re facing that scrum, is there even a way to nullify it?"
Ben Youngs, who, along with Dan Cole, felt the sting of the Bok scrum in both the 2019 World Cup final and the 2023 semi-final, expressed his mixture of awe and frustration on their podcast, For The Love of Rugby. Cole, meanwhile, broke down the technical superiority of the South African pack.
"You look at the ginormous second-rows they pick and the big back-rowers – they engage hard and stay square. There were those five-metre goal-line scrums where they were literally going through Argentina; there’s not a lot you can do if you’re defending. If you stay up, you’re just going backwards."
Cole also touched on the ripple effect of the Springboks' scrum dominance. According to him, it's not just about the immediate gain of yards or a penalty. The psychological toll it takes on the opponents is just as devastating. "Every knock-on or fumble, you know you’re giving them a penalty and defending another 15 phases. That pressure builds – it’s psychological as much as physical," he explained.
Throughout the Rugby Championship, the stats were almost as impressive as the scrum itself. The Boks racked up a staggering 19 scrum penalties, leaving their closest competitor, New Zealand, in the dust with just eight. It's clear that when it comes to scrum time, the Springboks are in a league of their own, turning what might seem like a mere set piece into a battleground where they are the undisputed champions.
2,193 posts
When the Springboks set their sights on a Rugby Championship scrum, they're not just pushing the opposition around—they're rewriting the laws of physics. That's the only logical explanation for their recent display of scrum supremacy, especially during their nail-biting 29-27 triumph over Argentina at Twickenham. This victory not only secured them back-to-back titles but also left a couple of England rugby legends absolutely gobsmacked.
The scene was almost ludicrous: seven Springboks, one man down with Canan Moodie cooling his heels in the sin bin, managed to bulldoze Argentina's full eight-man pack. It was a moment that had spectators and experts alike picking their jaws up off the floor. Even the hardened veterans from England couldn't help but lavish praise on this show of brute force.
"The Springboks, rightly so, have won it back-to-back. They’re the best team in the tournament. But it’s berserk when you’re facing that scrum, is there even a way to nullify it?"
Ben Youngs, who, along with Dan Cole, felt the sting of the Bok scrum in both the 2019 World Cup final and the 2023 semi-final, expressed his mixture of awe and frustration on their podcast, For The Love of Rugby. Cole, meanwhile, broke down the technical superiority of the South African pack.
"You look at the ginormous second-rows they pick and the big back-rowers – they engage hard and stay square. There were those five-metre goal-line scrums where they were literally going through Argentina; there’s not a lot you can do if you’re defending. If you stay up, you’re just going backwards."
Cole also touched on the ripple effect of the Springboks' scrum dominance. According to him, it's not just about the immediate gain of yards or a penalty. The psychological toll it takes on the opponents is just as devastating. "Every knock-on or fumble, you know you’re giving them a penalty and defending another 15 phases. That pressure builds – it’s psychological as much as physical," he explained.
Throughout the Rugby Championship, the stats were almost as impressive as the scrum itself. The Boks racked up a staggering 19 scrum penalties, leaving their closest competitor, New Zealand, in the dust with just eight. It's clear that when it comes to scrum time, the Springboks are in a league of their own, turning what might seem like a mere set piece into a battleground where they are the undisputed champions.