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Nienaber reveals why he's gone for 7-1 split against Ireland

Jacques Nienaber (Head Coach) of South Africa during the South Africa men's national rugby team training session at Stade Omnisports des Fauvettes on September 19, 2023 in Domont, France. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)

Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber has revealed why he has once again gone for the risky 7-1 split, this time against Ireland in their crunch Pool B match in Stade de France on Saturday.

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Nienaher has gone for a bench of Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith and just one back – scrumhalf Cobus Reinach.

The split was the main topic of discussion at the press conference on Tuesday.

“Like any team selection, we went with that because we believe that’s the best way for us to make sure we get a result on the weekend.

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“We always try to be as physical and intense as possible. We always say you can’t plan for a good start, but you can always plan for an intense start. We will definitely try to be as intense as possible from the start, as I think they would as well.”

Nienaber insisted that the fact that the Boks used the same split in the warm-up win over New Zealand didn’t influence his selection against the world No.1s.

“It worked well in that specific game. The bench had a big impact, not only in that game but also on the weekend [against Romania].

“We analysed Ireland and after looking at them and what they bring and what we think we will need in this specific game from a tactical point of view and trying to counter everything they do – that’s the reason we went with seven-one.

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“I don’t think necessarily Ireland and New Zealand are similar in how they do things. It’s for this specific game.

“The ‘bomb squad’ that came on against Scotland also had a big impact. That’s what we want.

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“I don’t call them finishers or stuff like that. The guys that start and guys who come off the bench have a role to fulfil. That’s why when we talk about our front-rowers, we don’t talk about first choice or second choice. It doesn’t necessarily work like that in our team.

“The guys who start have a specific role to perform and the moment we see that being achieved, we bring the other guys off the bench.”

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The tactic creates a scenario where forward could potentially haver to fill in for back if there are more than one enfocred change during the 80 minutes, a risk the Boks’ brain trust seem happy to live with, although he wouldn’t reveal who he would ask to do so with, saying “That is tactics!”

“Obviously people look at it and say it’s a risk, but for us it’s a calculated risk. There are guys on that bench who cover various positions, but that is not something I’d like to go into too much because it is probably more tactical.

“I don’t want to talk too much about tactics. We have a lot of versatility in the squad and we showed that on the weekend by playing four nines [scrum-halves]. But we are comfortable with the risk we are taking.”

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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 15: Kwagga Smith of South Africa
(R) during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and South Africa Springboks at Mt Smart Stadium on July 15, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

“It’s a week that you want to be involved with. It will be the same for them; the analysis they do on us and the plans they make for us, and the plans we make for them to see if it will work on Saturday. That’s the thrill of it.”

It was put to Nienaber that a new name might need to replace the ‘Bomb squad’ monniker that has become so widely used when referring to South Africa’s bench.

“That will probably be up to the media, they will decide that.”

“I won’t say I’m nervous, I’m excited. It’s going to be a proper test match [between] two teams that have a good skill set.

“If you look at their squad versus our squad, you’re probably going to find that they have a very experienced squad, probably between 29 or 30 years of age. We’re probably between 29 and 30 years of age.

“If you look at the amount of test cap experience we have on average per player, it will probably be between 40 and 45. If they select the guys that we think they’re going to select, it will also be around about 40 or 45.

“It’s going to be a clash of two teams that have good experience; good, cool, calm heads. They will be similar in the amount of guys that are over 30, so I think it’s two squads that will be very well matched on the day. 

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“That’s the exciting part, to see if our plans will work against them. Will we be able to handle the pressure they put us under? There will be ebbs and flows in the game. Will they be able to handle the pressure that’s on them? Because at the end of the day this is an important game for both teams.

“It’s only the third game of the pool, but if Ireland slip up in this game, their Scotland game becomes massive. (If) we slip against them in this game, our Tonga game becomes massive.

“So there will be pressure in this game. It’s exciting to see how the players will handle it.”

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Comments

7 Comments
B
Bob Marler 673 days ago

Can’t wait to see the day where Kwagga covers inside centre.

G
Guy 673 days ago

He only says commonplaces known to all beginner coaches.

G
GL 673 days ago

Disappointed...was hoping for 8-0

B
Bob Marler 673 days ago

Let’s wait for Cobus Reinach to pull up lame in warm ups to be replaced by another forward…

M
Michael Röbbins (academic and writer extraordinair 673 days ago

Still time for an injury call-up

D
DH 673 days ago

The rugby brain on this guy.

F
Flatcoat 673 days ago

Rassies brain more likely...

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H
Hellhound 20 minutes ago
Steve Hansen: The Boks are 'rolling the dice and so far they’ve got away with it'

As I said, always blame the ref. The Boks can't win unless the ref helped. It was a hooker and not a prop. You don't even have your facts straight. You just confirmed what I said idiot. Blame the ref for the try😂As for hate? I don't hate the AB's, just some of their fans like you. You don't look at the whole picture. All you see is AB's players. You don't look at the opposition. No, you see what you want to see and then open your mouth, spew drivel and then get heated up about it screaming hate. Yes, the Boks haven't won in NZ in awhile. Boo hoo, cry me a river. That will change. A very strong AB's side barely beat a weak C French team and you think they are in such a good place. I would not bleat such prowess if I were you. The Boks played against much weaker opposition and they were very disappointing. Lots to work on. However, we know what these Boks are capable of. We know what the youngsters are capable of. We know the depth we have and that depth is extreme. Lots of new youngsters bleeding through too. Better than most of the current AB's. Have you watched the URC? No. Japan league? No. English Premiership? No. You watch SR and you are awed by what you see. You think the world will fall at the AB's feet, that they will smash everyone in front of them(couldn't do it to a C French team). You are blind. Foolish. Big mouth and overhyping a team that is already out of time for the WC. At the most 17 Tests left to give players time to shine. Razor doesn't even have a full A team yet. Prospects yes. Possible future stars, yes. The Boks have about 3 teams, and about 3 teams with star studded youngsters that can shift up. What will the AB's do when there is injuries? Red card bans? AB's are good. They always will be. However, they are wafer thin in the talent department. As I said, I love the AB's, just not all its arrogant supporters of which you are one. You get good supporters, not you, and then bad woke idiots, that's you!

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