In the midst of a chaotic and thrilling encounter in Dublin on Saturday, one element stood out crystal clear – the immense power of the Springbok scrum.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus made no apologies for his team’s reliance on the set-piece in a bruising contest, opting for scrum after scrum as they claimed a 24-13 win – their first at the Aviva Stadium since 2012.
“We felt we were dominant in the scrums,” he said. “Obviously, we took the scrums because they were down to seven [forwards], and they had a lock [James Ryan] out with the red card and then [Ryan] Baird got injured as well.
“So we could have taken those three points and extended the lead, but because they were [down to] 14, we stuck in there.”
RASSIE: Ireland yellow cards didn’t define Test
Erasmus explained his decision to replace starting props Boan Venter and Thomas du Toit with Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw at the end of the first half.
“Boan did really well in his sixth or seventh Test, scrumming next to Malcolm [Marx], and Thomas was excellent.
“I think we got some reward when we sent [Steenekamp and Louw] on just before half-time. You can do it five minutes after half-time – then those [starting props] can go another four or five minutes and empty their tank, and you can send the other guys on at a specific time when it’s vital. But Gerhard and Wilco are probably our two strongest scrummagers.”
ALSO: Depleted Boks, Wales to clash in Cardiff
The Bok coach also made a pointed reference that the Bok scrum was without World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Ox Nche and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, and “we lost two of our five locks”.
Meanwhile, captain Siya Kolisi said backing their scrum was part of the plan.
“We knew exactly what was happening [with Ireland’s yellow cards] and obviously at half-time we made plans, but throughout the game we knew what was happening and that’s why we took the options that we took on the field when we got penalties.
“The scrum was working and we wanted to go with that. So, the communication was very good.”
KEO: Boks by 11 is the universal number it was meant to be in Dublin
The post Bok scrum a thing of beauty in Rassie’s eyes appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.