The traffic light system was designed to convey injury-related information, according to the coaching team. Photo: X
In the 24th minute of the match against Scotland, the South African coaching staff were first seen sending messages onto the pitch using strange colored lights reminiscent of children's lava lamps. The immediate suspicion was that Rassie Erasmus, their director of rugby, was up to his old tricks again, having memorably served as water bearer during the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour. Although the gimmick was later banned by World Rugby over concerns he was spreading tactical information on the field, scenes in Marseille last Sunday suggest the incorrigible character is still determined to make his presence felt from the stands.
< p>According to head coach Jacques Nienaber, the traffic light system was designed to convey injury-related information, although the timing of its use led to accusations that Money Libbock was being told whether to kick on goal or not. Nienaber was a proponent of this method at Munster, where red meant a player was injured and a replacement should be considered. Erasmus also named him as one of his favorites: he once raised his disco lights to the roof of the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein so he could direct the moves of the Cheetahs, a spectacle that earned him a nickname in his home country. «DJ Rassie.»
Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, who plays as water bearer, talks to his team during a test match between the Springboks and the British and British side. Irish Lions Photo: Getty Images/David Rogers
Reaction to the Springboks' latest antics has been split evenly between ridicule and admiration. But few could deny, given the brutal efficiency of their first World Cup win, that visual cues were a smart approach to use. There was a feverish atmosphere at the Marseille stadium, the noise amplified by the dramatic contours of the building, rendering any verbal communication futile. The only option, according to South Africa, is coaches from high above the pitch, providing bright light.
Step by step, they are building an unrivaled reputation for ingenuity. Eddie Jones is one of those who truly respects their introduction of innovations that to the untrained eye may seem like a gimmick. It was astonishing, for example, when they announced a 7:1 ratio between forwards and backs against New Zealand at Twickenham. But given that their pack's dominance is their hallmark, and that they ended up beating New Zealand by 28 points, the stunt seems worth emulating.
«I applaud South Africa for being so brave»
«Tradition, «It may say the bench ratio is 5:3, but that doesn't mean it's correct,» Jones said. “If you're going to play a heavy, dominant striker game, why don't you have more strikers on the bench? I applaud South Africa for being so bold and courageous in the way they want to play. This is a great innovation.”
What was even more amazing was how they replaced all seven strikers at the same time. Bomb Squad aside, it was a blast of atomic energy that the All Blacks seemed ill-equipped to withstand. The same story, only on a less destructive scale, was repeated in Scotland last weekend. Although their shambolic defending saw them lead to just three points at the break, the early appearances of front rowers Ox Nche, Bonga Mbonambi and Trevor Nyakane early in the second period tipped the balance of power decisively in the world champions' favour.
Playing the way the South Africans do comes with its own risks. What happens if, with seven forwards on the bench, you lose your scrum-half or half-back, or worse, both? It is rarely advisable to ask the open side flanker to replace the nine. If you need an illustration, just revisit the disgusting chaos of Mauro Bergamasco's scrum-half performance against England in 2009, when his passes either flew past Andrea Marcato's head or bounced apologetically across the turf. Although the Springboks pride themselves on their imposing physical appearance, the «big is beautiful» aesthetic can only be promoted to a certain extent.
Gregor Townsend, the Scotland head coach, said Libbock had brought more variety to the attack than at the last World Cup, and the midfielder's outrageous, unmarked effort made Kurt-Lee Arendse's try a special highlight.
The concern for all future opponents is that Libbock is still only the second option 10, behind Handre Pollard. While Pollard was left out of the 33-man squad due to injury, as was center Lukhanyo Am, the question arises whether, in light of South Africa's image as great innovators, both could be reinstated for the knockout stages. “If there is an injury,” Nienaber said, leaving the door slightly open, “then we will change the opponent.” This is an opportunity that their fellow World Cup hopefuls should be smart about. After all, the key thing about this team is that they strive to stay one step ahead, whether that's through flashy lights or crooked benches.
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