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Why Springboks chose not to select six/two bench versus England

(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Springboks boss Jacques Nienaber has explained why they have kept Elton Jantjies in their matchday 23 to take on England next Saturday at Twickenham rather than select an extra forward on their replacements bench for their final match of the Autumn Nations Series. Jantjies was a starter in the win over Scotland last weekend and while he has now conceded the No10 jersey to Handre Pollard, he has been given a role as the No22 in London rather than miss out altogether. 

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It was at the 2019 World Cup, which culminated in the dominant win over a bruised England in the final, where the Springboks made regular use of a six/two forwards/backs split on their bench. This tactic gave them an edge in the end-game physical stakes. However, while their bomb squad still had a reputation for destruction, especially the early use of their replacement front-rowers, the six/two tactic has become largely redundant under Nienaber.

In the 13 Springboks teams he has named, including the 23 for this Saturday’s showdown with England, Nienaber has gone with a five/three bench split on ten occasions, meaning the six replacement forwards have been selected in only three games – the second Test versus the Lions in July and the two September games versus the Wallabies in September, both of which were lost.  

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At the World Cup final two years ago, Herschel Jantjies and Frans Steyn were the only two backs chosen on the bench along with six forwards. However, rather than reprise that type of Springboks selection, Nienaber has gone with three backs for this weekend’s rematch by including Elton Jantjies as another reserve.

Why? “We had certain internal goals and things we wanted to do in the end of year tour, trying not to compromise or lose momentum,” he explained. “Whenever we made a change we said this was a rotational change or not a rotational. 

“I thought Elton was outstanding last weekend and it was good to give him a start, the way he trained and the way I thought he performed in the games he started he is really pushing hard, but I thought Handre did well when he came on and with Elton on the bench it gives us that little bit of versatility in terms of the back end of the game depending on if you are chasing the game or if you are in control you can make certain substitutions – so it gives us a little bit of versatility.”

While the six/two replacements tactic is apparently on hold then in the Nienaber era, a different type of tactic from the past is now suddenly being persisted with – that of selecting midfielder Jesse Kriel on the right wing. Not since September 2018 had the 27-year-old been considered as a winger, but he will start a third consecutive game in that position when he runs out at Twickenham. 

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It needed an injury to Cheslin Kolbe and red tape surrounding the paperwork of Sbu Nkosi to get Kriel into the No14 jersey to take on Wales at the start of the tour, but he has kept hold of it since then despite Nkosi clearing up his status and now being available for selection. 

“There was a big discussion about maybe getting Subu back in the mix,” admitted Nienaber. “He joined us a little bit late in terms of his passport and his travel documents.

“I thought Jesse in the first game against Wales and the step-up he made in the second game against Scotland, especially with all the different variations Scotland can bring to their game in terms of a kicking game, in terms of a passing game, he adapted well and he had a solid performance. 

“This end of year tour we want to continue keeping momentum but we also want to try a couple of things and build some experience in certain players in certain positions just to get some versatility. That was our thinking around that.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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TRENDING Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
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