Rugby: Kiwi coach Warren Gatland puts forward radical rule change to stop South Africa's 'bomb squad' tactics

Wales coach Warren Gatland has proposed a radical change to rugby's rules, effectively to nullify South Africa's forward-dominated "bomb squad" tactic.  

Throughout 2023, the Springboks adopted a strategy in which their reserves bench comprised of seven forwards and just one back, effectively allowing coach Jacques Nienaber to replace the pack in its entirety when needed.  

While playing to South Africa's strength of dominating games with their forwards, the tactic did leave room for the Springboks to be exposed in the backline, with fullback Willie le Roux asked to cover six positions if called on, while winger Cheslin Kolbe would slot in at halfback.

However, while perfectly legal within rugby's rules, the tactics have come under fire for not being within the spirit of the game.  

And writing for the Telegraph, Kiwi coach Gatland, currently in his second stint as head coach of Wales, put forward a suggestion that the number of substitutions be limited.  

While that suggestion would not stop South Africa from altering the make-up of their bench, it would heavily impact how substitutions could be used.   

"The game is producing incredibly powerful athletes and when you see teams like South Africa at the World Cup name a bench with seven forwards and just one back, it means that your forwards only have to play for 40 minutes," Gatland wrote. "That was not what it was intended for.  

"Rugby used to be about attempting to tire out a forward pack so that the space opened up in the final 20 minutes and there were more opportunities to attack.  

"We are not seeing that at the moment because of the number of replacements and the incredible athletes we are producing.  

"I think the time has come to trial a reduction in the number of replacements or even a return to when they were only for injuries.

"This ruling may just apply to top-level or international rugby."  

Despite the controversy, though, South Africa can successfully argue the success of their "bomb squad" speaks for itself.

In August, the Springboks used a 7-1 split to inflict a record 35-7 defeat on the All Blacks, before doing the same again to win the Rugby World Cup with a 12-11 victory, again over New Zealand. 

Four years ago, South Africa won the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan with a 6-2 forward split on their bench, which also drew criticism after defeating England in the final.   

Wales coach Warren Gatland has proposed a radical change to rugby's rules, effectively to nullify South Africa's forward-dominated "bomb squad" tactic.  

Throughout 2023, the Springboks adopted a strategy in which their reserves bench comprised of seven forwards and just one back, effectively allowing coach Jacques Nienaber to replace the pack in its entirety when needed.  

While playing to South Africa's strength of dominating games with their forwards, the tactic did leave room for the Springboks to be exposed in the backline, with fullback Willie le Roux asked to cover six positions if called on, while winger Cheslin Kolbe would slot in at halfback.

However, while perfectly legal within rugby's rules, the tactics have come under fire for not being within the spirit of the game.  

And writing for the Telegraph, Kiwi coach Gatland, currently in his second stint as head coach of Wales, put forward a suggestion that the number of substitutions be limited.  

While that suggestion would not stop South Africa from altering the make-up of their bench, it would heavily impact how substitutions could be used.   

"The game is producing incredibly powerful athletes and when you see teams like South Africa at the World Cup name a bench with seven forwards and just one back, it means that your forwards only have to play for 40 minutes," Gatland wrote. "That was not what it was intended for.  

"Rugby used to be about attempting to tire out a forward pack so that the space opened up in the final 20 minutes and there were more opportunities to attack.  

"We are not seeing that at the moment because of the number of replacements and the incredible athletes we are producing.  

"I think the time has come to trial a reduction in the number of replacements or even a return to when they were only for injuries.

"This ruling may just apply to top-level or international rugby."  

Despite the controversy, though, South Africa can successfully argue the success of their "bomb squad" speaks for itself.

In August, the Springboks used a 7-1 split to inflict a record 35-7 defeat on the All Blacks, before doing the same again to win the Rugby World Cup with a 12-11 victory, again over New Zealand. 

Four years ago, South Africa won the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan with a 6-2 forward split on their bench, which also drew criticism after defeating England in the final.   

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