Keith Wood says Rassie Erasmus’ tactical innovations may ultimately strengthen the case for reducing substitutions in Test rugby.
Under Erasmus, the Springboks’ now-famous Bomb Squad – the 6-2 or 7-1 forwards-heavy bench split – has become a major competitive weapon.
The Bok coach has also pushed the boundaries with hybrid players, most notably Andre Esterhuizen, who can now cover both centre and flank.
“I know Rassie, but not very well,” Wood told rugby hospitality provider Vision 4 Sport. “We kind of collided with each other a bit when we played against each other. I got to meet him when he was in Munster. He plays the villain and at times he is the villain.”
The former Ireland hooker, however, stressed his admiration for Erasmus’ approach.
“He deflects everything away from the team. He has built breakaway thinking from a lot of South African teams of the past.”
Wood said Erasmus’ ability to identify “players who can actually play in four positions” has changed the way squads can be constructed, citing Esterhuizen as the prime example.
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While he remains sceptical of some tactics – “I like some of the innovations; others are bulls**t … he’s kind of pushing the laws” – Wood believes Erasmus has shown that fewer replacements could work.
“What Rassie has done is proven it’s possible because you can get players that cover different positions. You’re asking players to be fitter and able to last longer.”
Scrummaging, he argued, is particularly affected by full front-row changes late in games.
“There is not a great amount of joy in a front row for 70 minutes … then they bring on a whole new team. I liken it to being in the eighth or ninth round of a boxing match and they just changed the boxer!”
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For Wood, the Bok model hints at a way to “save the game” by increasing space and reducing costs.
“You want people to be fitter and smaller … maybe a couple fewer coaches, maybe smaller squads. It might take a World Cup cycle.”
He also praised South Africa’s ability to manage their player base.
“They’ve managed those resources incredibly well … Loyalty is a two-way street.”
And he said the Boks’ willingness to select overseas-based players remains a clear advantage.
“South Africa have actively done that … It works when you have the number of players coming through like South Africa have.”
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Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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