The Bomb Squad

The Springboks have had many close games and won them due to the Bomb Squad strategy. 

Unlike Heyneke Meyer, who would substitute players at predetermined times, Rassie Erasmus varies his approach based on the scoreboard. Both matches against the All Blacks this year were won in the final quarter, as was the case in the World Cup Knock out stages. It seems that if the Boks are close in the 60th minute onwards, they have a very high % chance of winning. 

First-Half Management:

The Springboks often aim to keep the game close in the first half by playing a structured, controlled game focused on territory and defence. The goal is not to score heavily but to ensure the score remains close by halftime.

Close Scoreline:

If the score is close at halftime (whether the Springboks are leading slightly or behind by a small margin), the starting players typically remain on the field longer into the second half. The reasoning is that the game is still within reach, and the starters are trusted to maintain control. This strategy allows most of the Bomb Squad to enter around the 55th to 60th minute, enabling them to dominate the opposition in the final quarter.

Losing Scoreline:

If the Springboks are significantly behind at halftime, more of the Bomb Squad is introduced earlier in the game. The hope is that they are not only fresh but in better form than the starters, allowing them to immediately impact the match.

The Ideal Scenario:

In the best-case scenario, the Bomb Squad is brought on during the final 25 minutes of the match (typically after the 55th minute). At this stage, the opposition is likely fatigued, making it harder for them to resist the fresh, powerful Springbok forwards. The Bomb Squad’s physical presence at this point can decisively shift the game in South Africa’s favour by creating space for the backs, dominating scrums, and disrupting the opposition’s game plan.

Physical and Psychological Edge:

The introduction of strong, fresh players not only gives the Springboks a physical advantage but also provides a psychological edge. Opponents who have been battling for over an hour can become demoralised when faced with the arrival of more imposing forwards, knowing they must now contend with renewed physical pressure when they are already tired.

Maintaining Full-Game Intensity:

The strength of the Bomb Squad strategy lies in its ability to maintain high intensity throughout the full 80 minutes. Rather than experiencing a drop in physical performance as the game progresses, the Springboks maintain or even increase their dominance in the later stages. This makes them especially dangerous, as most teams struggle to keep their defensive organisation intact under such sustained pressure.

You can only have an effective Bomb Squad if you have the player depth

When your starting tightfive is Ox, Bongi, Malherbe, Eben and Lood

Bringing on Kitshoff, Marx, Nyakane and RG means there is absolutely no drop in physicality or ability when they take the field

No other test side has the two best front rows and set of of locks in the game to draw on and therein lies the success of the Bomb Squad

Again the mastermind of Rassie, recognising the fact that with the depth we have and playing to our physical strengths why go with a traditional bench when you can continue the pressure by sending an equally good second pack onto the field - it’s bloody genius

Yes, with world-class replacements on the bench, it is also unlikely that both the starter and impact player will not be in good form.

Rassie can switch a player earlier if they are not in good form, or drop the bulk of the bomb squad later if the starters are in good form. 

Kwagga is usually better the later he gets into the pitch. He has never been a good starter when the game is more tight. 

Marx too is arguably better of the bench- but he has had games when he played fantastic for all 80 minutes.

Ox might be better as an impact player to destroy the opposition scrum in the second half. 

Grant Williams might be better of the bench as well

Lomp has played one game for the Springboks since 2022…I’d hardly use him as a model for the bomb squad. Unless you are referring to the pick up in the Boks game after Mostert replaced the flaccid Lomp in the 2019 WC final.

Well Moz the utterly useless Mostert is never going to feature in any examples of mine especially when it relates to physicality so Lood is the obvious example

Mozart 

You obviously does not realize that the below quoe s a distortion.    Grand Louw made a runover - but at the tme he match was drawn at 16 each  and f tha remained ter would be extra-time played and  so you stateent ss just about.    Why was the score 16 each - it was because of teh converd ty b Deallnde tat ensured it - and your sdistrotion of wat happened in teh case f hat try that takes he cake.   

The bomb squad’s success has been increased scrumming penalties because of the pressure Ox has exerted… filling in skill gaps like Francois Louw and Kwagga coming on to give us fetching capability. The 2019 WC was saved by Louw in that role as was the 2023 WC when Pollard replaced Libbok.

Pollard was not in the bomb squad when the paly-ofs wer ayed in teh 2023 series - he was contantly in he starting line-up - so our comment is really funny beyond words 

By the way the mostert stroy is also an outrght lie,   Mostert came on in tefinal becxause De Jager got injured.   Mostert was a serial flop in the match against  the AB round Robin match and he dd vrually noth ing f real onfidece in the  2019 final.    n fac he was serious BS in most incidnts in the relvant final.   

You are costantly attacking Erasmus - now tell us please who do you think will be a better Springbok coach and texplain why.    .