Rassie Erasmus era is alive and well with his innovation taking the Springboks game to the next level.
The Springboks are at an all-time high following back-to-back (Bok-to-Bok) Rugby World Cup victories.
Under Rassie Erasmus’ tenure (first as coach, then director of rugby, then coach again), the Boks have risen to the top of the world rankings and conquered feat after feat in tandem with each stroke of Eramsus innovation, ingeniuty and genius. He has not only lead the Springboks revolution but he is evolving the game of rugby as a whole.
Let’s take a look at each layer of Rassie’s genius that he has revealed so far.
THE BOMB SQUAD
Traditionally, benches would consist of five forwards and three backs. Traditionally, the number 21 jersey was allocated for replacements scrumhalves. Then Rassie entered the chat putting World Rugby on notice. He turned the number 21 into a jersey for an extra forward. Thus, creating a 6-2 split.
In 2019, the original Bomb Squad was created. It consisted of Malcolm Marx, Vincent Koch, Steven Kitshoff, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies and Francois Steyn.
Rassie didnt just change the split but he reinvented the way that 80 minutes of rugby can be utilised. The Springboks head coach would often put on five or six substitutes at the same time to allow the starting guys to empty the tank and the bonk squad to explode into action and finish every game strongly.
This proved to be a masterstroke as the Boks went on to win the 2019 Rugby World Cup and to succusfully defend it in 2024. Meanwhile, the Bomb Squad was extremely influential in the Boks comeback against New Zealand at Ellis Park in 2024. They trailled 27-17 after 65 minutes and then the Bomb squad was unleashed. The Springboks went on to win a classic 31-27.
RASSIE’S SPRINGBOKS SPLIT-SQUAD ROTATION POLICY
Resting big players for big test matches is nothing new. Neither is playing a so-called ‘B-team’ against lesser favoured opponents. However, Rassie split-squad policy has been implemted so strategically ith more than the next match in mind.
He calculates multiple factors to ensure the balance of youth and experience and regular playing time heading into big matches. The Springboks coach wants to ensure his players get 2-3 years of playing time to be selected in the RWC squad. Meanwhile, he makes sure that no body is ‘undercooked’ heading into big matches. Finally, he manages older guys and injuries meticulously.
This ploy keeps opponents guessing with each selection. You truly have to expect the unexpected when it comes to Rassie’s Springboks.
If Rugby was chess, Rassie would be a Grandmaster – he is always step ahead of his opponent.
MID-FIELD ‘LINE-OUT’ MAUL
12 July 2025 will be remembered for many things – Jasper Wiese’s controversial red card, The Springboks returning to Port Elisabeth and Siya Kolisi returning to his home town to lift the Rugby World Cup.
However, the whole rugby world has been left perplexed, bermused and shocked at Rassie’s latest innovation. The Bok coach utilised a mid-field line-out in the build up to Canan Moodie’s try. Ruan Nortje was lifted in the middle of the field around Italy’s 22m line, leaving the Azzuri players as shocked as the rest of the rugby community.
It turns out, Rassie and the Springboks took a trick out of the Paarl Gims under 14 B-team move. Talk about thinking out the box,
CHESLIN KOLBE’S GREEN AND GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
You may find this hard to believe but prior to Cheslin Kolbe’s 2018 debut, he was told that he is to small for test rugby.
Yes, you read that correcty. The 2024 SA Rugby Player of the Year and one of the best players in world rugby almost did not play test rugby.
However, Rassie went against the grain and saw his potential and Kolbe reached his. He took his golden oppurtunity from Rassie and became a Springboks living legend and the rest is history. Now, Rassie is continueng to unlock hidden gems that turn out to be worth more than gold (green and gold). Whist, Kolbe continues to step his way passed defenders and into the history books.
WHICH MOMENT OF GENIUS INNOVATION DO YOU THINK IS RASSIES GREATEST SINCE TAKING CHARGE OF THE SPRINGBOKS IN 2018 AND WHY?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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