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Willie le Roux tackles critics, explains his new bomb squad role

(Photo by Christiaan Kotze/AFP via Getty Images)

Seasoned Springboks full-back Willie le Roux has addressed the criticism he regularly receives and has also spoken about what it has been like in recent weeks to be a new part of the famed bomb squad. The soon-to-be 33-year-old, a veteran of 74 caps, twice came off the bench in the three-game series versus Wales and remains very much a part of South Africa’s plans for the 2023 World Cup despite the negativity he often gets from the public.  

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This criticism doesn’t negatively affect le Roux. Instead, he flips it on his head and looks at it as a positive, suggesting it shows that the supporters care about what happens on the field. 

Speaking at an online media briefing from Mpumalanga ahead of a week in which the Springboks will launch their Rugby Championship with a home game next Saturday in Nelspruit versus the All Blacks, le Roux said: “Sometimes you play well and you still get criticised. That is just how our supporters are.

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“It means they care. If they don’t criticise you about anything then you know they don’t care. For me, it is always about going out there and doing my best and then I know I got the backing of the team, the coaching staff and everyone.

“At the end of the day what they say to me matters, my family, the close ones, but if the supporters didn’t criticise then you know they don’t care about us. Sometimes you just have to take that and move on and then do your best when you get an opportunity again.”

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The Springboks bomb squad has gained notoriety in recent years for its ability to change games and leave South Africa the dominant team coming down the finishing straight. In 74 Springboks appearances, le Roux has been a starter on 67 occasions and his recent appearances off the bench versus the Welsh were his first as a replacement since a June 2018 run against England in Cape Town.  

He helped turn the tide in the first Welsh Test as a half-time substitute, the Springboks fighting back from a 3-18 deficit to win 32-29, but there was less pressure when he appeared as a first-half replacement for the injured Cheslin Kolbe in the series decider as his team were comfortable winners. What did he make of the experience?  

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“Being part of the bomb squad was something new for me. When I had to go on in the second half of the first Test it was a bit funny and a different feeling. It was just about bringing a vibe and a lot of energy to lift everyone up around me and do my job as best as I can. It was a bit new, but I was really excited to do it.

“Unfortunately, Cheslin got injured in the last game and I had to go on early and then it was a bit of a different game that you have to play, we were leading and we just had to keep it simple whereas in the first game we were behind a few scores so we could play a little bit more and get the scoreboard going.”

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3 Comments
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chris 827 days ago

Surely the bomb squad refers to the forward replacements and not the backs.

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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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