Last weekend's Rugby Championship finale in London showcased the Springboks' scrum prowess, leaving everyone, including England legends Dan Cole and Ben Youngs, in awe of their dominance over Argentina. Despite a slow start and trailing 10-3, the Springboks' scrum turned the tide, pushing the Pumas off their ball even when a man down, setting a tone of unrelenting force that lasted the entire match. This performance underscored their scrum superiority with a staggering 19 scrum penalties won throughout the tournament.
Now retired, Cole and Youngs, who have both experienced the brute strength of the Springboks' scrum in past World Cups, discussed the tactical might of the South Africans on their show, For The Love Of Rugby. Cole recalled a critical moment, "When they were down to seven men and still managed to overpower the Argentinians, that was quite good." His admiration for the strategic depth and physicality of the Springboks was evident as he pondered the dilemma faced by teams going up against such a juggernaut.
"Is there any way of trying to get away from it? Is there anything you can do to try and not make it so almost emotionally demoralising for you?"
Cole outlined the potential strategies: either swiftly getting the ball in and out to avoid confrontation or boldly engaging with them head-on. "We [England] tried to take them on and just trying to match them and engage. Not shying away from the contest," he explained, emphasizing the inevitable nature of scrums in rugby and the importance of managing those moments effectively.
Youngs chimed in, highlighting the physical and psychological impact of the Springboks' scrum, "It's berserk... with the Boks at times it has not spun, it's like straight through the middle. Explain that. How is that possible, because you don’t see that with other teams?" To which Cole responded, detailing the technical prowess and sheer power of the Springboks, "It’s coming through the entire front-row. They engage hard and they stay square."
The duo's insights not only shed light on the technical aspects of scrummaging but also on the broader strategic implications for teams facing the Springboks. As the November internationals approach, the discussion between these two veterans offers a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and strategies involved in facing one of rugby's most formidable forces.
2,193 posts
Last weekend's Rugby Championship finale in London showcased the Springboks' scrum prowess, leaving everyone, including England legends Dan Cole and Ben Youngs, in awe of their dominance over Argentina. Despite a slow start and trailing 10-3, the Springboks' scrum turned the tide, pushing the Pumas off their ball even when a man down, setting a tone of unrelenting force that lasted the entire match. This performance underscored their scrum superiority with a staggering 19 scrum penalties won throughout the tournament.
Now retired, Cole and Youngs, who have both experienced the brute strength of the Springboks' scrum in past World Cups, discussed the tactical might of the South Africans on their show, For The Love Of Rugby. Cole recalled a critical moment, "When they were down to seven men and still managed to overpower the Argentinians, that was quite good." His admiration for the strategic depth and physicality of the Springboks was evident as he pondered the dilemma faced by teams going up against such a juggernaut.
"Is there any way of trying to get away from it? Is there anything you can do to try and not make it so almost emotionally demoralising for you?"
Cole outlined the potential strategies: either swiftly getting the ball in and out to avoid confrontation or boldly engaging with them head-on. "We [England] tried to take them on and just trying to match them and engage. Not shying away from the contest," he explained, emphasizing the inevitable nature of scrums in rugby and the importance of managing those moments effectively.
Youngs chimed in, highlighting the physical and psychological impact of the Springboks' scrum, "It's berserk... with the Boks at times it has not spun, it's like straight through the middle. Explain that. How is that possible, because you don’t see that with other teams?" To which Cole responded, detailing the technical prowess and sheer power of the Springboks, "It’s coming through the entire front-row. They engage hard and they stay square."
The duo's insights not only shed light on the technical aspects of scrummaging but also on the broader strategic implications for teams facing the Springboks. As the November internationals approach, the discussion between these two veterans offers a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and strategies involved in facing one of rugby's most formidable forces.