Exclusive: Pieter-Steph du Toit Defends ‘Bomb Squad’ Strategy and Hails Rassie Erasmus’ Rugby Genius

Often described as the ‘hardest man in rugby’ for his bone-crunching tackles and bulldozers runs with the ball, Springbok lock Pieter-Steph du Toit is perhaps the perfect person to weigh in on the controversial ‘bomb squad’.

The bomb squad refers to the Springboks’ use of seven forwards and just one backline player on their bench, known commonly as a 7-1 split. 

It’s something Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus used to win both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup titles. 

It’s drawn heavy criticism from other nations, and it even drew calls for the strategy to be banned. Last week, World Rugby released a statement saying there were no medical grounds for such a ban.

Of course, Du Toit welcomed the latest development.

Bomb Squad a Strength for the Springboks

“Definitely for the Springbok squad, it's the strength of us. We've got really good depth in the side, so we're quite fortunate about that, and as a player, you're fortunate because you get a lot of game time as well, and you get an opportunity to prove yourself. So for us, it's the strength of us, and we're definitely going to build on it,” Du Toit told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.

As for Erasmus, the former Springbok loose forward, was in a good position to come up with clever ways to get the best out of his players.

“Rassie understands the game. I wouldn't say just being a forward … he played the game in the past. He understands what works and what doesn't work."

“And of course, the way he looks at the game is completely different than anyone else looks at the game. And it's quite exciting to play on him, and we're fortunate to have him in the system at the moment. And that's the thing about Rassie. It's all about innovation. It's coming up with ways to kind of outsmart the opposition.”

Erasmus' Game-Changing Strategies

It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to call Erasmus a gifted coach, and though Du Toit was careful with his wording, there was no disputing the impact the tactician has had on the game.

“No, definitely,” said Du Toit when asked if Erasmus was a rugby genius.

“Like you can see, when he started coaching, he always thought outside the box. He thinks outside the box with his plans and always comes from some different side. That's a really good thing, and especially to take that into internationals, like we don't get boxed in, and the stress gets to you. And sometimes you just look out in front of you. And what he does well is you put yourself outside the box and look outside the box. So that's definitely a strength of him and the Springboks.”

International Season Ahead

The Springboks are currently preparing for another busy international season, beginning with two Tests at home to Italy before welcoming Georgia to SA. All three Tests will take place in July, ahead of the Rugby Championship involving Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina. The Rugby Championship will run from August 16 to October 4.

It will then be on to the November Internationals when the Springboks will take France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales.

“We ended the season last year on a high, so this is a new season ahead, so we have to start with the preparation with the first alignment camp, and there's one around the corner again, so it's definitely an exciting season ahead."

“I think there's more, there's probably going to be a season with the most games that have been involved in. It's going to be a tough year ahead, but definitely we're working for 2027 [Rugby World Cup]."

“It's going to be a lot of tough games starting off with the Barbarians and then ending on a very tough international tour. And then again, working on 2027, it's going to be tough and building Springbok depth, especially with a few guys injured at the moment. So it's going to be quite challenging as well.”