Johan Ackermann: Why Kwagga Smith is the Boks’ secret weapon

The key man for the Springboks in Saturday’s Test against Ireland is Kwagga Smith.

He will only fill a place on the bench, but if the Boks are to get the better of Ireland in their World Cup clash in Paris, I suspect it will have something to do with Smith.

Versatility

Firstly, the Boks are able to select a bench with seven forwards and only one back because they have so many versatile players in their squad, something that puts them apart from other teams. Not all squads have the luxury to do this.

Personally, I don’t think the Boks are taking a risk at all by going this route.

The advantages of picking the replacements they have for this match are obvious and let’s be honest, how often has this squad, since Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have been in charge, needed, and used, three backs on the bench?

The game against the All Blacks a few weeks ago was a dress-rehearsal for this clash, and Rassie and Jacques knew exactly what they were doing going into that match. And it worked. In fact, I’m sure they’ve been thinking about 7-1 for a long time.

Kwagga Smith

Right, Kwagga Smith. A little guy with a huge engine that just keeps on going and going. He can play wing and he can play 12.

When we were at the Lions he featured out wide on a regular basis, along with Jaco Kriel. They have the speed and power.

We know he can play wing, but 12? The key thing is what do you want from your 12? A guy that will make his tackles, carry the ball up, get over the gainline, and then still compete at the breakdown … that’s Kwagga.

The other thing is he understands space because he played so much Sevens rugby, and that’s why he can slot in nearly anywhere. He’s the perfect person to have on the bench if you’re going to go 7-1 in the replacements.

With the equally versatile Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden in the mix, the Boks are well covered up front, with Kwagga the insurance policy at the back.

The only danger is if two or three backs get injured. But Faf de Klerk, Damian Willemse and Kurt-Lee Arendse can play in more than one position and Cobus Reinach should be fine at 9 or on the wing.

Boks’ toughest opponents?

Regarding the game itself, Ireland are very similar to the Boks, and that’s why they’ve been the best and most consistent of the northern hemisphere sides in the last few years, and been one of the Boks’ toughest opponents.

There’s been consistency in selection, in the coaching team, they’ve backed experience, and they play a structured game, with the pack laying the foundation. Their kicking game is good and they’re tactically astute … sounds like the Boks, right?

They like to keep the ball for long periods and grind teams down, but the Boks with their pressure game and their forwards, and that bench which will lift the intensity in the second half, can match Ireland. And I think they will ultimately get the better of them.

It’s a great Bok team up against a quality Ireland team. Enjoy.