Bok coach brushes off 7/1 criticism: 'Innovation in sport always gets reactions'

In Paris

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said an innovation such as the seven-one bench split they've employed for Saturday's Pool B showdown against Ireland was always going to draw different reactions from the rugby world.

While the move has received measured support in South Africa after it came off against New Zealand in their warm-up game at Twickenham last month, it has drawn some criticism from leading rugby lights.

Former Ireland hooker Keith Wood, who never won a Test against South Africa in Irish colours but won two with the British & Irish Lions in 1997, said fielding a bench of that magnitude is an option that could be reviewed and even disallowed by World Rugby after the World Cup.

LIVE | RWC 2023: Samoa seek more clashes against elite ahead of Argentina duel

"I think it'll change after the World Cup, and I don't think it'll be allowed going forward. But, it's within the law and I think he's playing to his strengths," Wood told the Off The Ball podcast in a virtual interview.

"Rassie Erasmus coming up with something novel is something he's done over a long period of time and everything he's done pushes what he can push.

"I don't know that it's necessarily fair." ??Keith Wood on OTB Breakfast this morning having an interesting conversation about the now famed 7-1 split on the bench. Will we see it outlawed in rugby after the World Cup? ??Become a member now at https://t.co/zjoL9xmFEd pic.twitter.com/kgWEVrRqrH

"It's interesting that he tested it a couple of weeks ago and I don't think it's right, but since it's within the law, I also don't think it's wrong.

"I don’t think it's fair because it works to the advantage of teams with huge forwards and, while they're not the only team in the world, they tend to be the