The “Bomb Squad” is back, and this time it is ready to go off against Ireland, the top-ranked Test country in world rugby.
On Saturday at the Aviva Stadium (kickoff: 7.30 p.m.), the Boks play the Irish, and coach Jacques Nienaber has gone back to the tried-and-true lineup for his bench. Nienaber chose to replace himself with six attackers and two backs, as was disclosed on Tuesday during the team announcement for the game on Saturday.
The starting unit of Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, and the improvised trio of Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Jasper Wiese will be covered by Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, and Kwagga Smith.
Jaden Hendrikse’s replacement at scrumhalf will be Faf de Klerk, while Willie le Roux will play a utility position by backing up Cheslin Kolbe at fullback and filling in at No. 10 as needed. Speaking of Kolbe, if starting No. 10 Damian Willemse is forced to leave the field, the returning Bok will also be co-opted into the flyhalf position.
This year, particularly during the back-to-back Rugby Championship matches against New Zealand, the Bomb Squad and its 6-2 makeup have come to light.
Key players in each of those games, De Klerk and Jesse Kriel, had to leave the field inside the first 10 minutes, forcing Nienaber and company to change their ideas and rearrange the backline.
It was not a good setup, especially in the middle, as playmaker Lukhanyo Am sometimes moved to the flank and out of the strategic position. Smith, a loose-forward, was likewise positioned at the opposing ends of the backline.
The Bok think-tank has resumed its usual behavior despite the danger and is undoubtedly anticipating an exhausting physical war to start.
We definitely looked at Ireland’s strengths with the 6-2 split, Nienaber stated.
“We believe that the combination of the split and the back three—Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Makazole Mapimpi—will likely provide us the greatest advantage.
“Ireland is known to us all. Their multi-phase approach, physical fitness, and quick breakdowns are some of their advantages. We believe that choosing such combinations will be in our best interests.
Nienaber’s worry is valid; earlier this year, when Ireland defeated the All Blacks in a series, they dominated and intimidated their opponents in set-pieces, particularly lineouts, and also controlled the contact points.
Controlling the speed of the game and managing their replacements will be of utmost significance as the Boks seek a measure of vengeance following the humbling 38-3 defeat in 2017 – the last time the two teams played. They drove the New Zealanders tired with a relentless and high-tempo approach.
It is undoubtedly a risk, but one that has paid off in the past. With a little bit of luck and proper execution, it may also work this weekend for the Boks.