Since Rassie Erasmus resumed his role as head coach of the Springboks in 2024, after a strategic hiatus as director of rugby, his knack for crafting game-changing tactics has continued to evolve the landscape of international rugby. The innovative mind behind the "Bomb Squad" tactic that played a crucial role in South Africa's 2019 Rugby World Cup victory has not rested on its laurels. Erasmus's strategies, such as the audacious scrum call from a mark inside their 22 at the 2023 World Cup, have kept opponents on their toes and broadened the tactical horizons of the sport.
On the "For the Love of Rugby" podcast, former Springboks prop Steven Kitshoff, alongside rugby luminaries like Ben Youngs and Dan Cole, delved into how Erasmus pitches these inventive ideas to his team. Youngs, intrigued by Erasmus's approach, asked Kitshoff about the team's receptiveness to such tactics. Kitshoff shared, "Of course there are a couple of guys that need a bit of convincing. He’ll have an idea and a lot of the time, 95% of it is your traditional rugby preparation tactics, the kicking game, attacking style, the way we’re going to play and he goes, ‘Boys 5% for this week is going to be a quick tap penalty or let’s try a lineout in the middle of the field and bend the rules of the game in our favour’ type of mindset without doing anything illegal."
"Those midfield mauls are just a way to try and get the strength of the Springboks in a position where it’s forwards versus backs, mauling type of thing. That’s where he will see more of an opportunity where we can either milk a penalty, score a try, or create something really fun from this,"
Kitshoff further explained that the players buy into these strategies not only because they disrupt traditional play but also because they leverage the Springboks' physical prowess to create mismatches and, potentially, “unfair advantages” on the field. “That’s how he convinces the guys. He goes, ‘We’re going to do this maul. Cheslin is going to throw in, and then all of a sudden Malcolm is going to be the one that runs the reverse play where Cheslin would have done it normally.’ So you get a big guy that’s 120 kilos, plays like a flanker running on a scrum-half type of thing. And then that’s how he tries to mismatch the combinations," Kitshoff added.
Trevor Nyakane, another former Springbok, highlighted that these tactical ploys not only serve a strategic purpose but also inject fun and keep players engaged during training sessions. "It also makes it a little bit fun; we will catch someone out with this, and it keeps you stimulated. When you eventually do it, it works because no team expects things like that," Nyakane remarked.
The continuous evolution of game strategies under Erasmus's guidance not only showcases his mastery over rugby tactics but also underscores a deeper understanding of his players' strengths and how to effectively deploy them to South Africa's advantage on the international stage.