Rassie Erasmus hits back at World Rugby chairman’s comments about the Springboks’ infamous Bomb Squad

Dylan Coetzee
Split with Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus and World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont.

Split with Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus and World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has taken to X, formerly Twitter, to hit back at the comments made by outgoing World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont about the infamous ‘Bomb Squad’.

Since Erasmus was brought into the Springboks fold back in 2018 he has redefined the use of replacements in the game by using six forwards on the bench instead of five to maximise the talent in his squad.

That move was met with some resistance but paid off with a remarkable 2019 Rugby World Cup triumph where the term for the bench ‘Bomb Squad’ was coined by the South African players.

While Erasmus moved to director of SA Rugby, his influence on the Springboks remained over the side who extended the phenomenon to seven forwards on the bench, a strategy loaded with risk but one that worked in the 2023 World Cup final where the side claimed back-to-back titles.

Beaumont’s comments

The strategy has led to great debate in the rugby world with many opposing the idea and Beaumont, in an interview with The Times last week, shared his thoughts.

“My view is that we allow too many substitutes,” he said.

“I don’t know if I’m looking through rose-coloured spectacles but in years gone by the game always opened up in the last 20 minutes, and games were often won in the last 20 minutes.

“The Bomb Squad are very effective at what they do, and very successful — they have won two World Cups. I will not criticise that at all, because it suits their game, but maybe they could run for a bit longer and a bit further.”

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Erasmus’ response

Naturally, the comments from the World Rugby boss sent Springboks fans into a frenzy and as it turns out they didn’t just frustrate supporters but also head coach Erasmus.

The tactician, who recently received an honorary doctorate in coaching science, has been known to use social media to convey messages in the past and he has done so again with a tweet.

It is clear Erasmus is firmly against Beaumont’s comments about replacements and in all likelihood the coach will continue using the tactic into the November Tests against Scotland, England and Wales.

READ MORE: South Africa legend makes bold November prediction for ‘best group in the Springboks’ history’