That scrum called from a mark

Was a moment of pure clarity and belief

It’s the Rassie thing

Yes it really worked out. More original thinking. 

Disagree that was a dangerous bit of smoke and mirrors. We were protecting a lead and we take a scrum inside our 22 when we had been penalized a few scrums before. 

The tap try by contrast was smart. Our rolling maul wasn’t working and Scotland (as I recall) had used the tactic successfully in a prior game.

Tactically we look good. But it depended on a few bounces of the ball. Those flare box kicks were really risky. We could just as easily seen a French try from a different bounce.

A tremendous effort from our players. We were neutralized on the maul, outplayed in the loose, vulnerable to the rolling kick….and yet we managed to win a game where we were massively outgained. Salute Kolbe, salute Etzebeth, salute Kwagga and yes salute Kriel who cleaned up a number of dangerous situation.

Disagree it was a massive statement only foiled by the amazing skill of the young French to keep that penalty kick in by Libbok

That statement is what this Bok side is about, they believe

Have to agree Moz ....

Maybe if the game had not been as tight as it was, it might have been the time and game to call it, but that could so easily have been why we lost that game, especially in our 22.

I do agree with Dave as well, but just don't think that that was the time or game to make a call like that .... but sheeesh, it took balls to do it.

Interesting that Willemse called the scrum straight away - no deliberation.

So it was pre planned that the call would be made when the opportunity presented itself

It’s good to see the side having so much belief and resolve to back up that call with a scrum penalty awarded

Dave Flatman the ex England prop and commentator loved the call

"Interesting that Willemse called the scrum straight away - no deliberation.

So it was pre planned that the call would be made when the opportunity presented itself"

Yeah, have to agree

Yes it was discussed prior to the match. Watch the Rassie interview to learn why. It's all above ou Mozzz's understanding.

I see the anti Rassie brigade are still sniping. Bit put out are we about the win. Bwahahahahaha. 

The other tactical call didn’t work…the Kolbe drop attempt. But that was warranted, unlike the mark/scrum call.

...well, I wasn't happy either time, but it worked both times...everything worked out for us last night.

The Boks had taken the upperhand at scrum time by then. so it was probably a good call. 
Risky, but calculated risk. 

Well it does raise a question.

When you are winning all your scrums, like we do against many teams...why not take a scrums there and get a penalty?

Perhaps there was more thought involved than I suspect. Ox was penalized shortly after he came on. I can remember him being similarly penalized in 21 against the big Aussie prop effectively losing the game. But in this instance Atonio had been subbed, so perhaps that was the green light. That said Koch was hanging on by his fingernails….I still believe it was an unnecessarily risky.

Just watch Rassie answer that call. It was to get France to scrum and tire their bigger forwards out