SA Rugbymag

South African rugby news, fixtures, results, video, interviews, and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers/Western Province, Sharks, Cheetahs, Kings and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals

You are here: Home ∼ Rassie: Forwards favoured because of versatility

Rassie: Forwards favoured because of versatility

RG Snyman offloads brilliantly RG Snyman is one of the Bok forwards on the bench
Published on October 17, 2019

Coach Rassie Erasmus says he went with a 6-2 split on the Boks’ bench for the quarter-final against Japan because of the South African forwards’ versatility.

Erasmus on Thursday announced his team to front the high-flying Japanese in the do-or-die encounter in Tokyo, springing a surprise when he unveiled a bench consisting of six forwards and just two backs.

‘We look at our replacement strategy on a game-by-game basis and for this opponent on this occasion we believe we’ll need fresh legs among the forwards at some point,’ said Erasmus.

‘We’re very fortunate in that we have a squad that has a number of highly versatile players among forwards and backs, who can slot into a number of positions to cover all eventualities.’

Erasmus used a similar ploy in the pool match against Italy and says he wants to build on the momentum from that game.

‘We were satisfied with the performance against Italy and want to build on that. We have been improving and building momentum this season and we will be looking for further improvements this weekend.

‘Japan are a well-coached team and have deservedly climbed to seventh in the world rankings. It’ll be a good challenge but we’re definitely up for it.’

Watch: Kolbe wary of Japan wings

The starting lineup boasts a total of 665 caps – the most in a Springbok team since the 2015 Rugby World Cup – when the squad included three Test centurions in Jean de Villiers, Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana. And Erasmus says he is pleased with the increased strength in depth and experience of current squad.

‘When we set out on this campaign at the start of last season, one of the things we said we wanted to do was broaden and deepen the experience in the squad,’ Erasmus explained.

‘We’re now in a position where everyone in the starting XV has had a proper taste of top-level Test rugby and we’ve got a strong spine of Test experience for these high-pressure matches.

‘You need that experience when it comes to handling the pressure situations we will face on Sunday and I think we’ve achieved that now.’

Photo: Steve Haag Sports via Hollywoodbets

Posted in News, Springboks, Test Rugby, Top headlines, World Cup Tagged 2019 Rugby World Cup, 2019 World Cup, japan, Rassie Erasmus, Springboks, Test Rugby, World Cup

Post by SA Rugby magazine

SA Rugby magazine

MPU #1 - (DESKTOP SIZE 300x250 / MOBILE SIZE 320x50, 300x250, 320x100)
← Previous Next →

Ratings: Du Toit one of the few standouts for Boks

The Boks faded in the second half to slump to a 22-17...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Duhan should be celebrated for his Lions success

Duhan van der Merwe’s achievements should be truly appreciated by South Africans,...

JdV: Boks-Lions have everything to play for

Performing in empty stadiums will be a key factor in the series...

Dynamic Dayimani: Forward to back

While he has been signed as an ‘edge’ forward, Hacjivah Dayimani could...

Boks have muscle memory to rely on

Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber are experts at finding solutions to tricky...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Team graphics: Springboks vs B&I Lions
  • Boks vs Lions (1st Test): Predict and WIN!
  • Lions team announcement: Duhan to front Boks
  • Teams: SA A vs Bulls
Boks

Why the Boks should be bullish

There is good reason for the Springboks to enter the British & Irish Lions series with confidence, writes MARK KEOHANE in the latest SA Rugby magazine.

  • Watch: Did Gatland’s words influence Jonker?


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals
×