Jake White: Who is coaching the Bomb Squad?

Jake White has questioned whether enough time is being devoted to defining the roles and maximising the impact of those chosen on the Springbok bench.

Rassie Erasmus has named Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok alongside Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen and Cameron Hanekom, in a 6-2 split for Saturday’s decider of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

A win at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore would seal a 3-1 series victory for Erasmus’ men.

White says the third Test of the series was the first in which he felt the All Blacks appeared to fade in the final 20 minutes, and wonders whether their use of replacements contributed to this.

The former Bok tactician notes the bench can close out a game, protect or chase a lead, or introduce fresh power collectively, contrasting New Zealand’s use of their substitutes with Erasmus’ Bomb Squad.

For White, there is no fixed formula for replacements, just that they must be mentally prepared for circumstances and know what they are expected to deliver.

“When commentators throw into conversation, ‘here comes the Bomb Squad, or ‘here comes the bench’, I’m not sure if the average rugby fan in the street knows what is meant by that” 

“That image of four, five or six heavily muscled players entering the fray is iconic, especially in South Africa.

“One thing I’d say, however, is that it’s a learned skill knowing when to introduce the right player.

“Perhaps there’s not enough time spent in coaching on the role of the numbers 16-23. The magic isn’t just going to happen and I’d love to see how much onus goes on behind closed doors on that aspect of the game.”