Matt Williams has declared the demise of South Africa's controversial 7-1 bench strategy as a significant evolution in rugby, influenced heavily by Tony Brown's impact on Rassie Erasmus' coaching methods. Speaking on the DSPN podcast, Williams applauded the shift towards more balanced and dynamic gameplay in this year's Rugby Championship, asserting that it enhances the sport globally.
Under Erasmus, the Springboks have adopted a 5-3 bench split, moving away from their previous forward-heavy 'Bomb Squad' setup. Williams, a vocal critic of the old strategy, celebrated its end. "The 7-1 bench has quietly died. Thank God. No one went to a wake, and no one is saying, ‘Isn’t that sad?’", he remarked. He praised the Springboks for showcasing "absolutely extraordinary rugby" that leveraged their inherent talent and athleticism, much to the dismay of their recent opponents, the All Blacks.
"They played some absolutely extraordinary rugby and unleashed the talent and athleticism that we all know is in these South African players, and unfortunately, New Zealand saw that the other week."
Williams also pointed out the silver lining for the All Blacks, suggesting that their recent defeat could spur improvements. "In the long run, I think that’s going to be great for them," he noted, predicting a robust response from the New Zealand team. Despite the setback, Williams sees this as a positive shift for rugby, emphasizing the move towards a game that celebrates skill and attack over the traditional focus on defence and set-pieces.
Discussing the broader implications, Williams argued that South Africa's tactical shift resonates beyond their national team, impacting rugby at a global level. The resurgence of attacking rugby heralds a return to a more balanced approach, where dynamic play can thrive. "And what we’re seeing is this change. It’s starting to get back into equilibrium and get to where attack is dominating defences," he explained.
With the Rugby Championship nearing its conclusion, Williams expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming November internationals, hopeful that the trend towards exhilarating, attacking rugby will continue to permeate the sport at all levels, inspiring the next generation of players to embrace a more expansive style of play.
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Matt Williams has declared the demise of South Africa's controversial 7-1 bench strategy as a significant evolution in rugby, influenced heavily by Tony Brown's impact on Rassie Erasmus' coaching methods. Speaking on the DSPN podcast, Williams applauded the shift towards more balanced and dynamic gameplay in this year's Rugby Championship, asserting that it enhances the sport globally.
Under Erasmus, the Springboks have adopted a 5-3 bench split, moving away from their previous forward-heavy 'Bomb Squad' setup. Williams, a vocal critic of the old strategy, celebrated its end. "The 7-1 bench has quietly died. Thank God. No one went to a wake, and no one is saying, ‘Isn’t that sad?’", he remarked. He praised the Springboks for showcasing "absolutely extraordinary rugby" that leveraged their inherent talent and athleticism, much to the dismay of their recent opponents, the All Blacks.
"They played some absolutely extraordinary rugby and unleashed the talent and athleticism that we all know is in these South African players, and unfortunately, New Zealand saw that the other week."
Williams also pointed out the silver lining for the All Blacks, suggesting that their recent defeat could spur improvements. "In the long run, I think that’s going to be great for them," he noted, predicting a robust response from the New Zealand team. Despite the setback, Williams sees this as a positive shift for rugby, emphasizing the move towards a game that celebrates skill and attack over the traditional focus on defence and set-pieces.
Discussing the broader implications, Williams argued that South Africa's tactical shift resonates beyond their national team, impacting rugby at a global level. The resurgence of attacking rugby heralds a return to a more balanced approach, where dynamic play can thrive. "And what we’re seeing is this change. It’s starting to get back into equilibrium and get to where attack is dominating defences," he explained.
With the Rugby Championship nearing its conclusion, Williams expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming November internationals, hopeful that the trend towards exhilarating, attacking rugby will continue to permeate the sport at all levels, inspiring the next generation of players to embrace a more expansive style of play.