Kwagga Smith shares his feelings on the infamous 7-1 split

Following South Africa’s tense 13-8 Pool B loss to Ireland this past weekend in Paris, flanker Smith has reflected on the match and spoken about the next challenge.

The match has been described as one of the greatest Rugby World Cup pool games to date, but it was ultimately a frustrating loss for the Springboks, whose strategy and selection gambles didn’t pay off.

“All supporters of the Springboks might feel disappointed, but we are also disappointed in losing that game,” said flanker Smith.

“We had a lot of opportunities and we didn’t use those opportunities, which cost us the game. We take the learnings from that and we make sure that it doesn’t happen again because from here on there’s no opportunity to slip up.”

Smith says that the Ireland forwards and breakdown dominance was a huge factor, and the intensity of the match was incredible.

“The breakdown was definitely one of the places where they slowed the ball down. Not necessarily made turnovers, but that ball’s one or two seconds slower than what it should be and that takes away the opportunity to score a try or get momentum.

“When number one and two play each other the intensity is really going to be high and the crowd were amazing.

“It was great playing there, but for us it’s to keep that standard and to have that intensity in every game we play. We’ll need that intensity this weekend against Tonga. Tonga is a physical side and they’re really hard players to play against so we’ve got to be ready.”

On the somewhat controversial and much spoken about 7-1 bench split, questions have been asked as to whether the Springboks will persist with it again in the tournament.

“Rassie [Erasmus, South Africa director of rugby] has his plans and management have their plans and we buy into that.

“The 7-1 split, it’s great going on and the guys playing know that they can empty their tanks and there’s a few guys coming on and they can play. We don’t know if we might see it again but it was an opportunity that I had to get another test match and I enjoyed it.”

On whether the Springboks will be chasing the bonus point against Tonga, in their final pool game of the tournament, Smith was emphatic.

“We know we need to get those five points, so we will go into that game with the mindset of getting a bonus point. For us also, they’re a physical team so to play against them will be great for us to know that our physicality is also at the highest level.”

South Africa play Tonga at Stade de Marseille on Sunday, 1 October.

Fixture

Rugby World Cup

South Africa

49 - 18

Full-time

Tonga

All Stats and Data