Ex-Springboks coaches reveal reasons why Bomb Squad has not been as effective as previous years

Former Springboks head coaches Nick Mallett and Heyneke Meyer have addressed the issue of the world champions’ much vaunted Bomb Squad which has not been at its best in 2025.

The tactic of putting six, or sometimes seven, forwards on their replacements bench has become a regular feature of current boss Rassie Erasmus’ teams since he first used it in 2019.

Better known as the Bomb Squad, Erasmus and former Boks head coach Jacques Nienaber have reaped the rewards of using a forward heavy bench over the years and it played a key part in them winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups in Japan and France in 2019 and 2023 respectively, clinching a 2-1 series victory over the British and Irish Lions and helped them during last year’s triumphant Rugby Championship campaign.

After opting mostly for a 6-2 bench split, the Boks used the 7-1 tactic for the first time in a 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up clash against their arch rivals the All Blacks at Twickenham in the build-up to the global showpiece later that year.

Although it was a massive gamble, it paid off and the Boks continued to use the tactic in their World Cup pool match against Ireland – a game which they lost – and against the All Blacks in the final which they won narrowly.

The Boks continued to employ the Bomb Squad with great success in 2024 but have used the tactic sparingly in 2025 and Mallett and Meyer feel it’s predominantly due to injuries and Erasmus’ rotation policy with his players.

Explains why Bomb Squad has not had the same impact in 2025

Mallett believes the reason why the Bomb Squad has not had the same impact on Tests in 2025 as in previous years is because there is a greater difference between the Boks’ first choice players and those playing from the bench.

“No Frans Malherbe (injured) and Steven Kitshoff (retired). Both Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx are struggling at the moment. No Gerhard Steenekamp (injured),” he told Rapport.

“Jan-Hendrik Wessels was injured. Several loose forwards are injured or suspended, such as Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom, Siya Kolisi (in and out), Juarno Augustus, Ben-Jason Dixon and Jasper Wiese.

“The Bomb Squad must contain players like Steenekamp, Wessels (as hooker), Thomas du Toit, RG Snyman – he needs to improve his game – Ruan Nortjé or Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith or Marco van Staden.

“Handré Pollard must be in the starting line-up or on the bench to avoid a repeat of the Test at Ellis Park.”

Mallett said if all the Boks’ forwards were fit, it wouldn’t surprise him if Erasmus opted to use a 7-1 bench for the third time, when they face off with the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Meyer said the trend regarding replacements in rugby has changed. Previously, changes were made mostly when there were injuries to players in the run-on side.

“Usually you sent them on for about 10 or 15 minutes. In the past you sent on about four or five players from your bench and had an experienced team that finished,” he explained.

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“At the highest level, the difference between winning and losing is very small. The new trend is that you want your most experienced players on the field at the end of Tests.

“Successful teams therefore try to conclude matches with their most experienced teams to secure victories and to swing the course of a Test in their favour.

“If you look at the Test we lost to the Wallabies, the guys who came on were very inexperienced. There were members of the Bomb Squad who had played one or two Tests and were not used to Test rugby. That’s why we lost at Ellis Park.”

Meyer was referring to inexperienced but talented players such as Boan Venter and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who were part of the Bomb Squad while players while more experienced front-rowers like Wessels, Trevor Nyakane, Kitshoff, Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu could not be considered due to injuries.

“The Bomb Squad was previously very experienced. Previously, experienced players like Kitshoff, RG, Kwagga and Malcolm were on the bench. They are players who would make the starting line-up of any other Test country,” he said.

New players focused on retaining their places in the team

“The new players who were sent on at Ellis Park were really focused on just trying to keep their own place in the team. It was such a big moment for them. On the other hand, players who have played 30 or 40 Tests can help the team as a whole rather than just focusing on their own game.”

Meyer feels that the Bomb Squad was the difference between South Africa and New Zealand during last year’s Rugby Championship Tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town which were both won by the Boks.

“Since the All Blacks only select players who play their rugby in New Zealand, they sent in inexperienced players. We were able to beat the All Blacks last year because of the experience of the players who were part of the Bomb Squad,” he said.

“We still have the luxury of choosing those experienced players, which I believe will now be the case in the big games.”

He believes Erasmus will strongly consider selecting a 7-1 bench for the Test at Eden Park if all members of the touring squad are fit and available or selection.

“New Zealand are going to want to play a quick game. It’s away from home. Someone like André Esterhuizen will have to be on the bench then,” he said.

“The safer option is of course always a 6/2 bench. I do think we have enough forwards, like a Kwagga, who can also help out in the back line.

“You never want to fall behind against the All Blacks though. I think we can win the test at Eden Park. We are blessed with two packs of forwards who could start for any other country.

“Not all countries have that luxury. Maybe only France. That’s why France can also go for 7-1.”

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