By Lucky Vince Pienaar
Few people in the rugby-playing world agree with former Scotland coach Matt Williams’ rant about the Springboks’ so-called “Bomb Squad”.
After last Saturday’s test match, where South Africa beat Ireland 27-20, Williams went as far as saying the Bomb Squad “discriminates” against the backs.
“Our game is for all shapes and sizes. In that game, you had 14 forwards,” he said on the Virgin Media Sport podcast.
Williams said his criticism was aimed at World Rugby and was “not a criticism of Rassie”.
“The South Africans took full advantage of a loophole in the system, and that is where the penalty try came from.”
Williams has been criticised, if not laughed at, around the world, but he is sticking to his guns, a battle he first took on at the World Cup when Rassie had the 7-1 split on the bench.
After announcing an unchanged side for the second test in Durban, Rassie responded to Williams’ noisy rants.
“I’ve learned that if you know the laws and the protocols, you don’t go outside the protocols,” the coach said, responding to a question.
He said he could have sent the Bomb Squad on one by one, but all six went on at the same time.
“I really don’t see how that would be dangerous,” he said.
He said about Ireland’s split on the bench: “Ireland definitely also plays with 6-2.”
It is noticeable that Rassie has toned down his comments about match officials lately.
“Don’t do what I did,” he warned players in the Chasing the Sun TV series about being too cocky.
“I’ve been slapped on the wrist for [being too outspoken and not respecting the protocols],” he told the media in a reference to his famous video when he targeted referee Nic Berry during the British and Irish Lions tour in 2021.
Irish coach Andy Farrell has also laughed off comments about the Bomb Squad.
He seemed slightly annoyed at the question but said the Boks coach did what he thought was right within the rules.
“South Africa are a great team, and they won the test fair and square,” he said.
Pictured above: The Springbok bomb squad.
Source: Springboks/X
