Springbok Bomb Squad will ignite again, vows Kwagga Smith

The Springbok Bomb Squad knows they did not have the desired impact in the first Test against Italy, but that does not mean opposition sides have figured out how to defuse the famed replacement bench of the world champions.

Utility forward Kwagga Smith, a big role-player in the Bomb Squad, is eager to make an impact off the bench this weekend when the world champions take on Georgia in the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

They haven’t selected a 6-2 bench like in the first Test against Italy, but five of the players looking to make an impact on Saturday were on the bench that day, where they failed to fire.

According to Smith, they don’t believe that teams have figured out how to stop the Springbok Bomb Squad. Italy played better in that second half at Loftus Versfeld and didn’t allow the replacements to make the desired impact.

“We know we probably weren’t playing to the best of our ability against Italy when we came off the bench,” Smith said about the replacements.

“We didn’t have the influence we wanted to. Italy played better in the second half, and they found each other and gelled. You must consider that.

"e do want to maintain that reputation when coming off the bench. You play together for many matches, and then in one game, things don’t go according to plan, and suddenly everyone says they’ve figured us out.

“We are not too fazed about it and will look to our standards. However, we want to set things right. Yes, we do have a 5-3 split and not a full Bomb Squad.

"But every guy wants to lift the standard. It was the first game of the season, and the last time we played together was six months ago.”

Smith says they are aware of the physical threat Georgia will bring. He believes they are well-prepared for it.

The Springboks expect them to target the breakdown, like Italy did during that first Test.

“They are tough people, strong and play with a lot of passion. Everyone wants to measure themselves against the Springboks, so we know it will be a battle. They will be physical, and they won’t take a step back.

“It doesn’t matter what the scoreboard says; they will keep coming at us. For them, this is an important opportunity to prove themselves against the best.”

He says they’ve rectified their shortcomings at the breakdown since taking a ‘beating’ from Italy two weeks ago. Now, they want to maintain the standard that was set during the second Test in Gqeberha.

The utility player believes the Boks have reached some of their goals over the last three matches as they look to tick a couple more off on Saturday.

“Rassie (Erasmus) has used the entire squad well. Each guy is getting a good amount of rugby, and that was maybe part of our goals. For me, I just wanted to get used to the Bok system (again).

“We don’t see each other for six months. Yes, we have alignment camps, but on the field is where you learn about each other.

"We have a few new guys who have come in, and you must adapt to playing with them. That goal was achieved because we played different combinations over the four games.

“Things went better since Pretoria and the guys playing this weekend, we have a responsibility to maintain that standard and improve.”