Two of the Boks' "bomb squad" members Jean Kleyn, with the ball, and RG Snyman in action against Ireland. Picture: Franco Arland/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
In the end, the Springboks’ 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the replacements bench didn’t really help the team against Ireland on Saturday.
The Boks lost 13-8 so one could argue it actually hampered them, but we’ll never know.
What we do know is that the Boks — starters and bench men — were matched up front by Ireland throughout the 80 minutes, and that they would have possibly loved having more than the one back on their bench.
I was surprised to see Cobus Reinach being named last week as that one back on the bench for the Ireland match, not because he’s not a good player, but because if you’re going to go into a Test against the world’s number one team, that man has to have the skills and X-factor to make an impact and have enough time to do so.
I’m not sure why the Boks opted for Reinach — yes, he can play in more than one position and he has a lot of experience, but would the speedy, unpredictable Grant Williams not be a better choice, though his inexperience would count against him?
Even Willie le Roux would be an option ahead of Reinach as he, too, has lots of experience and can slot in anywhere in the backline.
So while the Boks had seven fresh forwards coming on in the second half who may or may not have had an impact, what they seemed to miss most against Ireland was one or two more backline subs.
There was no guarantee the seven forwards would perform better than the starters, there never will be; it’s always a gamble and a chance the coaching team take, and I actually can’t believe Eben Etzebeth played for only just over 40 minutes.
It really does sometimes seem the Boks change players for the sake of it.
How the coaches must have wished on Saturday night, however, that they could send on a Williams and Le Roux (or Moodie), with Reinach, to try something different, because the Boks needed a fresh spark at the back in such a tight game.
I suspect we won’t easily see a 7-1 split again; it’s too restrictive.
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