South Africa got their Rugby World Cup defence off to an impressive start last night, snuffing out an in-form Scotland side on their way to a 18-3 victory in Marseille.
While it may not have been the emphatic performance that some were expecting, it was a typically South African showing. They overpowered their opponents and completely limited their attacking output. When it came to scoring at the other end, they showed a knack of doing so at the right moments.
It was a good start for the nation many view as favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup once again next month.
South Africa Rugby World Cup tactic had Munster origin
South Africa have not been afraid to experiment when it comes to the involvement of their coaches during the Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, but many viewers were confused by one particular aspect of their approach to last night's Rugby World Cup fixture.
During the game, former Munster player and current South Africa coach Felix Jones could be seen displaying a red light to get a message onto the pitch.
Good old tactics from the Boks. #RSAvSCO pic.twitter.com/bfLVjtyR2L
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 10, 2023
While some suggested this system was being used to send tactical messages onto the pitch, it has been claimed that it has to do with reacting to potential injuries.
Speaking after the game, Jacques Nienaber described the traffic light system they had when it came to communicating with their medical staff at pitch level. He said that the tactic goes all the way back to the time he and Rassie Erasmus spent at Munster a number of years ago.
Jacques Nienaber has credited his time at Munster for Sunday's traffic lights system with South Africa versus Scotland in Marseille. #Springboks #RSAvSCO #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/PAzghR3DWE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 11, 2023
I was at Munster and the calls were 'red' if it was a serious thing and we muster consider a substitution, 'amber' is lets this give this guy five or ten minutes to see if he's okay, and 'green is he's ok, he can go on.
It was something we used in Munster in 2016/17 and is just something we have continued with. It's an easy way.
When we talk on the radio, we want to talk tactics. To talk to the medical people about injuries just consumes the channels. It's an easy way to get them to get in our heads.
That explains that.
Some have questioned the legality of this move, but as Nienaber points out, it really isn't any different to the other more conventional methods coaches use to communicate with the rest of their staff.
If there is an advantage to be had in any area of the game at this Rugby World Cup, you can be sure South Africa will look to make the most of it.
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