Often referred to as the ‘hardest man in rugby,’ Pieter-Steph du Toit, a Springbok lock known for his bone-crunching tackles and bulldozers runs with the ball, is perhaps the ideal person to comment on the controversial ‘bomb squad.’
The Springboks’ bench configuration, commonly referred to as a 7-1 split, involves employing seven forwards and a solitary backline player. This strategy is known as the bomb squad.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus employed the bomb squad which was instrumental in securing both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup titles.
It has faced severe criticism from other nations and even calls for its ban. Last week, World Rugby issued a statement affirming that there were no medical reasons to support such a ban.
Of course, Du Toit was delighted by the latest development.
The Springboks’ Bomb Squad set to be formidable force in the coming season
“Definitely for the Springbok squad, it's the strength of us. We've got really good depth in the side, so we're quite fortunate about that, and as a player, you're fortunate because you get a lot of game time as well, and you get an opportunity to prove yourself. So for us, it's the strength of us, and we're definitely going to build on it,” Du Toit told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.
As for Erasmus, the former Springbok loose forward, was in a good position to come up with clever ways to get the best out of his players.
“Rassie understands the game. I wouldn't say just being a forward … he played the game in the past. He understands what works and what doesn't work."
“And of course, the way he looks at the game is completely different than anyone else looks at the game. And it's quite exciting to play on him, and we're fortunate to have him in the system at the moment. And that's the thing about Rassie. It's all about innovation. It's coming up with ways to kind of outsmart the opposition.”
Erasmus' Game-Changing Strategies
It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to call Erasmus a gifted coach, and though Du Toit was careful with his wording, there was no disputing the impact the tactician has had on the game.
“No, definitely,” said Du Toit when asked if Erasmus was a rugby genius.
“Like you can see, when he started coaching, he always thought outside the box. He thinks outside the box with his plans and always comes from some different side. That's a really good thing, and especially to take that into internationals, like we don't get boxed in, and the stress gets to you. And sometimes you just look out in front of you. And what he does well is you put yourself outside the box and look outside the box. So that's definitely a strength of him and the Springboks.”
International Season Ahead
The Springboks are currently preparing for another busy international season, beginning with two Tests at home to Italy before welcoming Georgia to SA. All three Tests will take place in July, ahead of the Rugby Championship involving Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina. The Rugby Championship will run from August 16 to October 4.
It will then be on to the November Internationals when the Springboks will take France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales.
“We ended the season last year on a high, so this is a new season ahead, so we have to start with the preparation with the first alignment camp, and there's one around the corner again, so it's definitely an exciting season ahead."
“I think there's more, there's probably going to be a season with the most games that have been involved in. It's going to be a tough year ahead, but definitely we're working for 2027 [Rugby World Cup]."
“It's going to be a lot of tough games starting off with the Barbarians and then ending on a very tough international tour. And then again, working on 2027, it's going to be tough and building Springbok depth, especially with a few guys injured at the moment. So, it's going to be quite challenging as well.”