Bomb Squad ‘bomb out’ on the horizon
Writing for RugbyPass, author and rugby analyst Nick Bishop traces the Boks’ scrummaging heritage back to Paul Roos’ 1906 “Skrum” mantra, linking it to Erasmus’ modern 6-2 bench split innovation.
Bishop points to recent evidence in the Investec Champions Cup, where Ox Nche and Frans Malherbe struggled against Toulouse and Sale Sharks, respectively.
He raises alarm about Steven Kitshoff’s career-threatening neck injury and notes the ageing profile of South Africa’s premier props, with the youngest potential 2027 World Cup candidate being 32.
Bishop suggests this generational turnover poses a significant challenge to Erasmus’ successful ploy, which relies on having four world-class props of equal ability.
“The potential problem for Erasmus is the current generation is expiring at more or less the same time, at least with the World Cup in mind,” he writes.
“Some of those players may not last that long at this level. There were already signs of wear and tear appearing in the latest rounds of the Champions Cup.
“The challenge now is to replace a faithful band of front row brothers, most of whom are coming to the end of their shelf life at the same time, before the 2027 edition.
“That task may yet turn out to be the Everest of the Free State maestro’s coaching career. If there is one country who cannot afford their bomb squad to bomb out, it is South Africa.”
