A Bomb Squad ban would only fuel Rassie's Springboks revolution

EVEN if World Rugby outlawed the use of a 7-1 Bomb Squad or Nuke Squad, as it's sometimes referred to in South Africa ahead of the start of the Springboks international season, head coach Rassie Erasmus would've found new and inventive ways to try and circumvent it as he continues to evolve the world champions.

- COMMENT BY LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

There has been an outcry from certain parts of the international rugby world about South Africa's use of seven forward replacements and only one in the backline since they started deploying it before the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The ingenious split of the bench was the brainchild of Erasmus, and was used twice during the successful 2023 tournament in France.

The Boks implemented the unusual plan against Ireland in the group stages, though they ultimately lost that match, and again versus the All Blacks to win the final. Since then, France head coach Fabien Galthie also adopted the genius strategy, using it to power their way to another Six Nations title.

Galthie could not have made it clearer that he is a big scholar of the Erasmus philosophy. But other countries who do not possess the type of forward power have been vocal in their opposition to the Bomb Squad.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has been at the forefront of it as an opposing mentor, but he has effectively been shut down by World Rugby.