2023-09-13 04:22:08
The light was green for the Springboks, but it was an orange light that intrigued. This Sunday in Marseille, while the South Africans stunned the Scots (18-3) during their entry into the competition, light signals emerged from the stands several times, emitted from the rows where the Boks staff had taken their seats. , coach Jacques Nienaber in the lead.
Felix Jones in particular, the defensive consultant brandished a sort of cup towards the field and its players. We also saw flyhalf Manie Libbok attempt a sixty-meter penalty in the 43rd minute, while the object was visible. “There is nothing tactical about it,” reacted Jacques Nienaber at a press conference. It’s very simple, in this stadium, with this dome above our heads, we can’t hear each other. It’s a way for us to talk to the staff who are at the edge of the pitch. It is very important to communicate and in these conditions, it is the best way. Moreover, we had already used it during the match against France here in Marseille (victory for the Blues 30-26 on November 12). It’s just a way of communicating with each other. »
Rassie Erasmus pulled out one of his old plays from his Free State days as the Springboks started their World Cup campaign with a victory over Scotland on Sunday. https://t.co/LgZtW2M9e2
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) September 10, 2023
Did the Springboks have to request authorization from World Rugby to do this? “Not at all,” replies the coach. I don’t see why we would need it. It’s like we’re making signals with our hands. It’s the same principle and we have every right. We were already doing this in 2016 and 2017 when I was in Munster (the Irish province). Other teams have other systems for communicating. »
Erasmus seemed to indicate when to attempt penalties
Jacques Nienaber was then the deputy of Rassie Erasmus, who then became coach of South Africa, world champion in 2019, before becoming director of rugby. It was Erasmus who first used this process when he coached the Bloemfontein Cheetahs in 2006-2007. On Sunday, the director of rugby seemed to indicate to the players when to attempt penalties by waving the light.
The Springboks probably didn’t need it, Manie Libbok having failed in his role as scorer, and especially given the superiority shown in the second half. “We are off to a good start but we are not thinking at all about Ireland (which the Boks will face on September 23, first place in the group at stake) for the moment,” assured the coach. We only have Romania in the lead (beaten 82-3 by the Irish) because it is our next match (September 17). » A match for which the little orange light should only be of limited interest, given the difference in level.
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