SOUTH AFRICA HAVE thrown down the gauntlet with their 7:1 split of backs to forward on their bench for their crunch World Cup tie with Ireland on Saturday.
The ‘Bomb Squad’ will provide the Boks with an undoubted physicality and impetus when introduced, but there are potential benefits to Ireland in the unbalanced nature make-up of the South Africa bench, the Rugby Weekly Extra podcast, for subscribers to The 42, heard.
Eoin Toolan, former analyst with Ireland, said a lot will inevitably now be asked of South Africa’s backs, and Ireland will spot an obvious opportunity as a result.
“I don’t think it’s going to intimidate them,” Toolan said of South Africa’s 7:1 split, adding that players such as Finley Bealham, Dan Sheehan if he returns, Dave Kilcoyne, Iain Henderson or Ryan Baird could all be “pretty impactful forward subs from an Ireland perspective.”
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Toolan added: “From a backs perspective they’re going to be licking their lips that they’re going to be playing against at least six fatigued backs for 80 minutes.
“If we can get high ball in play time, which Ireland will definitely be aiming for, and try and fatigue the South African back, particularly when you think about how Ireland attack, the swings into shape, changing the point of contact frequently within attacking sequences – that’s going to fatigue particularly South Africa’s back three I would say, and tag onto that Ireland’s tactical kicking game as well.
“So it’s a big, big test for South Africa’s backs, particularly for six of them to have to go 80 minutes which isn’t that frequent in modern day rugby.”
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Just another 60 more posts before saturday 8pm
@Sèan: hopefully at least 60. You don’t have to read them if you don’t want to
@Sèan: Its a world cup its a huge game, if you don’t have an interest you can always turn off the auld notifications
@Sèan: You’d be the life of every party!! What’s your hobby or pastime along with grumping?
@chris mcdonnell: thats where your wrong im looking forward to them
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: i dont grump looking forward to them
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: whats grumpy about his post ????
@bee bop: very interested in it you and others here not get what i said
Bundee is surely going to be told to target Libbok at every opportunity? If he goes off they will have to put faf to 10 and rely on him/Willemse to kick. I would love to see the look on the SA fans and management faces jf they get any injury in the backline. Their arrogance is something else..
@Dave Moran: South African here. It’s interesting that you see it as arrogance. Personally I believe it is based on analysis of Ireland’s strengths and Nienaber believing this is what is needed for Boks to beat them. Maybe he thinks that we will not be able to beat Ireland with an expansive game and will need to win it with the forwards. Personally I am slightly disappointed as I would have loved to see us mixing it up and bringing on Moody, Esterhuizen, le Roux etc. on later in the game. I think Ireland’s team has no weaknesses anywhere so regardless of the split on the bench we would probably struggle to beat Ireland anyway.
@Dave Moran: poor Libbok is all i say
@Cobus Basson: one weakness is we are not as big as you guys, so thats what Erasmus is going for, cant fault him for it
@Dave Moran: IT’s not arrogance, just a risk they are happy with taking, as they beleive they can get more benefot out of stressing us up front in scrum, line-out & maul. Which one will work best, who knows, that’s why it’s such an interestign match. I don’t think it;s arrogance, just they know that them putting the pressure there is the best way to win most games, I’m just less sure it;s as effective with s as it is with some other teams.
@Cobus Basson: well said
@Cobus Basson: Irish team has no weaknesses? Are you sure you’re not from Kerry there Cobus?
The SA bomb squad would be well advised to wear high protective gear as they attempt to defuse a highly explosive Irish pack.
@Tom Reilly: nice horseplay there Tom. See what you did.
We knlw what SA bring and where they are as regards match readiness especially after their showing against the All Blacks. We just don’t know exact where Ireland stand as the opposition have been poor. But having said that, Ireland can only play what’s in front of them and to be fair they did play well against Romania and Tonga. Can’t wait for this game, just too close to call, hope there’s no card or injury and we get a contest to the end.
Fully expect Sexton/POM onto the ref re scrum resets, water carriers, lineout ball changes, physios etc etc all the little breathers that SA will look for to slow the game down into an arm wrestle. Low error count/high tempo is critical for Ireland. Fascinating contest of 2 top sides.
@Dave Moran – to wish another player gets injured?? Seriously bro? That’s low!!
Both fantastic teams with two totally different styles. Going to be a great game!
Dont think this guy quite understands what Ireland are facing.
Target scrum penalties, kick drop goals….if they come with more than that I’ll be surprised.