Siya Kolisi: 'Ireland the best team in the world to test 7/1 split on'

THE PERFECT CHANCE: Siya Kolisi. Pic: ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Steve Haag

Jacques Nienaber has dismissed any suggestion that the Springboks’ use of seven forwards off the bench is a threat to player safety, while Siya Kolisi believes Ireland will provide the perfect test for the controversial idea.

The world champions first trialled the 7/1 concept against New Zealand in the last of their World Cup warm-up fixtures in August and they have doubled down on the policy now for this weekend’s crucial Pool B encounter with Ireland.

The tactic has prompted mixed emotions with some applauding the innovative thinking and others deploring it as a sin against the game’s moral code, and even a threat to the health and safety of players given the volume of fresh beef it brings onto the field.

Others again can see both sides of that coin.

"If there is innovation in any sport it gets reaction, positive or negative,” said the South Africa head coach. “This is obviously unique, it is the first time a team has named seven forwards and one back on the bench so that is why I would say it's innovation. That will get reaction.

“In terms of player safety, I don't get that. I know nothing stops anyone else doing it and it will be a sad day if you're innovative in the laws of the game and then they would change that. It's not against the laws of the game and I don't think it has any bearing on player safety at all.” 

Nienaber reiterated his belief that the lines between starters and subs has diminished in a modern game where the importance of the wider squad has never been greater. It is just team selection, he said, if a little different from the norm up to now.

His captain Siya Kolisi was, understandably, of a similar opinion. The flanker admitted that the novel thinking employed was exciting for the players involved and not least because they have trust in their coaches that it is done with their benefit in mind.

“And I honestly think that in the future more people are going to do it,” said Kolisi. “We were one of the first teams to do the 6/2 split and a lot of teams are doing it now because it works. It depends on what type of players you have as a team.”

"It is a big test, it's also a risk as well, but you must be willing to take those kinds of risks to see whether things work or not. It is the best team in the world to test it against. They have won 14 [sic] in a row. They can’t put a foot wrong right now.”