RG Snyman reveals the Springboks’ attitude towards the Bomb Squad

Jared Wright
Springboks lock RG Snyman in an interview in Chasing the Sun 2 documentary durign teh 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Springboks lock RG Snyman in an interview in Chasing the Sun 2 documentary durign teh 2023 Rugby World Cup.

A new teaser to the Chasing the Sun 2 documentary reveals the Springboks players’ attitude towards the infamous ‘Bomb Squad.’

The Springboks famously adopted the term during the 2019 Rugby World Cup when Rassie Erasmus and his coaching team fielded a bench with six forwards and two backs instead of the more traditional split of five forwards and three backline replacements.

The tactic produced magnificent results for South Africa as they went on to win the 2019 World Cup in Japan and continued to make use of it in the years that followed.

Springboks’ Bomb Squad

Ahead of the World Cup in France, Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber upped the ante with their bench replacements, selecting seven forwards and one back against the All Blacks prior to the tournament, and backed it again in the pool stage game against Ireland and the final against New Zealand.

The Boks would go on to seal back-to-back World Cup titles defeating the All Blacks 12-11 in the final.

The newest teaser for the Chasing the Sun 2 documentary series is centred around the ‘Bomb Squad’ with lock RG Snyman giving insight into the Springboks players’ attitude towards the tactic.

WATCH: Trailer for highly-anticipated Springboks’ World Cup documentary ‘Chasing The Sun 2’ released

Snyman featured off the bench in the World Cup matches against Ireland, France, England and New Zealand, scoring a crucial try in the semi-final victory over the Red Rose.

“We take that role very seriously,” Snyman says in the clip.

“It’s actually if a guy gets selected in the starting lineup off the bench, we say, ‘I’m sorry man, maybe next game you will be back in the Bomb Squad’,” he added with a chuckle.

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Duane Vermeulen adds: “They don’t call it the Bomb Squad for nothing.” He presumably refers to the bench’s impact in the semi-final against England, with replacements Handre Pollard, Snyman and Ox Nche playing a pivotal role in winning the match.

Third part of the series confirmed

The clip is just another sneak peek into the second edition of the hugely popular docuseries following the Springboks throughout their journey before and during the World Cup.

Earlier this week, the creators of the series also confirmed to South African newspaper Rapport that it will be a three-part series, confirming that they will be following the Boks during the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

South Africa kick off their 2024 international series with a one-off Test against Wales at Twickenham Stadium in June before a two Test Series against Ireland and a clash against Portugal.

READ MORE: Dr Rassie Erasmus: ‘Visionary’ Springboks boss rewarded for ‘unifying a nation’