South Africa’s “Bomb Squad” — their famously impactful bench — could see an even more radical evolution, with the possibility of an 8-0 split of forwards being considered. This comes from Springbok scrum coach Daan Human, who addressed the ongoing discussion around bench compositions during a recent press conference.
When questioned about the potential for an 8-0 split, moving beyond the currently debated 7-1 split, Human humorously deferred to head coach Rassie Erasmus, stating, “Sometimes I, when those kinds of questions come my way, I try to. I make it sweet and short and I said I just refer it to Rassie”.
However, he then elaborated on the philosophy behind such tactical decisions, emphasising the team’s overarching goal. “But I think he can contribute whether it’s a back or a forward, whether we go 8-0 or 7-1 or 6-2 or maybe 4-4. It’s also doable thinking now of it”. Human concluded by stating, “But anyway, I just think it’s helping us and the moment it’s helping the Boks getting the country better, for the country. Then, then we’re happy about the decision”.
This suggests that the Springboks’ coaching staff is primarily focused on what best benefits the team and the country, leaving open the door for innovative and unconventional bench strategies like an 8-0 split if deemed advantageous.
Human also touched upon the analysis of upcoming opponents, highlighting that roughly 80% of the players they will face this week were involved in a recent match between Italy and Namibia. He noted that Namibia, in particular, received four penalties and a penalty try in that game. Human acknowledged the experience in the Namibian front row, mentioning players who have participated in as many as three World Cups, such as Aranos Coetzee and Louis van der Westhuizen (Chucky the hooker), noting that even with one conceded penalty, they remain a “proper sight”.
The scrum coach also provided an update on player injuries and availability. While expressing sympathy for Jean Kleyn’s injury, Human humorously stated he wasn’t in the medical department, clarifying, “I’m a doctor, but a scrum doctor, not a medical doctor”. He confirmed the team’s depth, mentioning players who can cover lock like Ruben van Heerden, and highlighting Pieter-Steph du Toit’s versatility across almost all positions. Furthermore, he confirmed the availability of experienced players like RG Snyman and Eben Etzebeth, and stated that Jean-Luc du Preez had been cleared after being assessed for his HIA.
Reflecting on his past, Human shared memories of playing for Benetton Treviso in Italy, where his team won the Campionato. He recalled playing alongside Italian internationals like Franchino Properzi and former Italian captain Alessandro Moscardi, with whom he is still in contact.
Regarding André Esterhuizen’s potential as a hybrid player, Human expressed satisfaction with his adaptation to flanker, a position he has played previously for the Sharks. Human noted there are still “learnings” for Esterhuizen, particularly around scrum time, and expressed his wish for him to make the position his own. While acknowledging Esterhuizen’s size and speed, Human believes he can further develop his “scrumming and mauling ability”.
Delving into his “farming techniques” – his specialised scrum coaching – Human explained that conditioning is paramount for scrummaging. His focus is on the fundamentals of the scrum, emphasising that “you need to scrum against something as well” and that scrum machines are helpful for technique. He expressed satisfaction with the scrum machines now available to major South African provinces, which allow for individual player focus and preparation for the Springbok camp. The intent of this personalised coaching, he stressed, is “always to get them better”.
Finally, Human discussed the Springboks’ ongoing player development strategy. With numerous players in various clubs globally, including Europe, Japan, France, and South Africa, the team aims to create a larger player base. He explained that they identify and profile players, ensuring that second, third, and fourth-choice options are well-prepared to step up if injuries occur, having been followed for the past two years.
