2023-09-20 10:05:57
By placing seven forwards and just one back on its bench for the clash against Ireland on Saturday (9 p.m.), South Africa is replicating a strategy which has already paid off against the Blacks but never seen in the World Cup.
South Africa sets the tone before the Group B clash against Ireland on Saturday at 9 p.m. at the Stade de France. Jacques Nienaber, the coach of the world champions, chose to line up seven forwards for just one back (Cobus Reinach) on the substitutes’ bench.
The Springboks had already caused a sensation four years ago with a 6-2 on the bench which they had nicknamed the “bomb squad” going even further. A first in the World Cup that they have already successfully tested during their historic victory against New Zealand at Twickenham (35-7 at Twickenham on August 25) in their last preparation match before the World Cup. After having already innovated against Rouamnia (with four scrum halves on the scoresheet), South Africa promises heavy action for the Irish.
The South African coach also had a smile when explaining this “tactical” choice decided after “analyzing the Irish game” before this clash between the reigning world champions and the number one team in the world ranking which will be decisive in determining their probable future opponent in the quarter-finals of France or New Zealand. “I don’t even want to talk about it or speculate” assures Jacques Nienaber who first wants to “get out of the hen” and “let fate take its course”.
Jacques Nienaber, did the fact that this 7-1 worked against New Zealand count in this choice?
“Yes it worked very well in that match. The bench had a big impact, not only in this match (against the Blacks) but also with the “bomb squad” (nickname given for the 6-2) against Scotland. That’s what we want and what we usually call finishers or something like that… The guys who start or the guys who come on during the match each have a role to fill. People say that those who start are our first choice and those on the bench are our second choices, but it doesn’t work like that for us. Maybe in some teams it’s like that but not for us. The guys who start have a specific role and when we see that this role has been fulfilled we take the guys off the bench. But I don’t think it was the New Zealand match at Twickenham that made us decide to take this option. We analyzed the “Ireland, seeing what we needed to put in place tactically for this match. That’s the reason for our 7-1. I don’t think Ireland and New Zealand are similar in the way they do things so it’s definitely for this specific match.”
Isn’t it a risk to have an imbalance?
“From the outside, people can say it’s risky and we understand that. But for us, it’s calculated. The guys who make up this 7-1 can cover several positions. But it’s something that I will perhaps not elaborate too much in front of you because it is tactical and we do not want to talk too much about it. To answer you, there is a lot of versatility in this group. We are quite comfortable with the risk that we takes and it’s the right choice.”
Which forwards can cover the back positions?
“It’s tactics (laughing)…”
“Our backs understand that this will be a team effort”
Did the players understand this choice?
“Our backs understand that it’s going to be a team effort. And in the end, the guys who are selected for this match are not necessarily the ones who play in the quarter-final, if we make it to the quarter-final. So I think that everyone understands that. We explained it openly to the players and they understand our thinking behind this choice and its reasons. That’s the beauty of our team at the moment.”
What do you think of Ireland’s performance in this World Cup?
“They are the number 1 team in the world. Their qualities are everywhere, I don’t think there are many weak points in their game. As they said themselves, it’s probably one of the matches we want to play: the world number one facing the reigning world champion. It will be a test match.”
What type of match are you expecting?
“A tough game… Like I said, when you look at the Ireland team, their consistency in performance where there haven’t been many weak points over the last few months. We’re expecting a real test match between number one and number two playing against each other. That’s what we expect from this match.”
No preference between France and New Zealand for the moment
This match will also determine your potential quarter-final opponent, do you have a preference between playing France or New Zealand?
“No (laughing). It will be a good topic of conversation when we qualify for the quarter-finals. We will then see the world rankings etc. (he stops). But first we have to get out of our group. So I don’t even want to talk about it, not even speculate on a probable opponent. We don’t have a preference. We first have to be sure that we put in a performance against Ireland, then Tonga and get out of our group . And fate will determine who our adversary will be.”
What state of mind are you in before this match, are there any nervousness?
“I wouldn’t say I’m nervous, but I’m excited. It’s going to be a real test match between two teams who are playing pretty well. When you look at the average ages of the two teams they’re almost similar around 29-30 years old , experienced teams. If you look at the number of selections we must be around 40-45 selections per player and I don’t know who they will field but they will be in the same waters. So I think it will be a clash between two teams that have good experience, a bit similar. Two teams that match each other quite well and it will be exciting to see how the plans we have in place for them work out, see if we manage to handle the pressure that they are going to put on us. See also how they handle the pressure of this match. Because in the end, it’s an important match for both teams. It’s only the third group match but if Ireland loses, their match against Scotland will be hugely important and if we lose it will be our match against Tonga that will be huge. There will be pressure in this match and that’s certainly what’s exciting. So I wouldn’t say I’m nervous, but I’m excited to see how this match goes.”
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