JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s 7-1 bench has become a major talking point ahead of the Springboks’ clash against New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final in France on Saturday.
On Thursday, Bok coach Jacques Nienaber announced his 23-man squad to face the All Blacks, making two changes to the side that beat England 16-15 in the semi-final.
Handre Pollard is set to start alongside Faf de Klerk at halfback.
It will be only the second time this year that there is no place in the 23 for Manie Libbok.
READ: Springboks through to make fourth attempt at Webb Ellis Cup
The only other game where Libbok did not feature was the one against Romania, where he was rested.
Nienaber’s team is the most experienced side, with most of the players with over 50 caps for the Springboks.
The Boks go into the clash with just one fullback and seven forwards on the bench. The bench has been received with mixed reactions by rugby fanatics, especially South Africans.
Some pundits believe the game will be won off the bench, while some are of the view that it will be won the first 30 minutes.
But it’s worth mentioning that Nienaber’s charges beat the All Blacks with the same strategy in a World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham.
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) October 26, 2023
The 7-1 split won't work against New Zealand bcoz they have a solutions. pic.twitter.com/j3c4yBNXE8
— Terminator (@kalamoola26) October 26, 2023
A 7-1 bench split? Bring on South Africa's bomb squad, the All Blacks are ready! 💪@SENZBreakfast | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/ZMVWSspTYN
— SENZ (@SENZ_Radio) October 27, 2023
Nepo Laulala and Tamati Williams vs Ox and Trevor could be the determining factor of who wins on Saturday. https://t.co/xI0XkRqCe6
— Kooks (@Kookie_Kuhle) October 26, 2023
The Boks won the Twickers game against NZ long before the bench could make any impact. Not sure how people attribute the success of the 7:1 split based on that. Only thing is SA did not have an injury to backs so it did not backfire.
— Rugbycology (@rugbycology) October 27, 2023