Bok v All Black benches: On paper, a yawning gap

Sport24 chief writer 

That the Springboks have determinedly transformed the old image of bench personnel as being out-and-out reserves is now beyond dispute.

The World Cup-holders possess a deeply entrenched “Bomb Squad” who almost unfailingly add a very tangible, often game-altering sense of impact: they are the virtually equal-value “finishers” who simply swap places at varying junctures in matches with “starters”.

As we have seen from time to time, too, head coach Jacques Nienaber is not afraid to make his exchanges, and for reasons not related to injury, before the midway mark.

That, in itself, says plenty about the extent to which the eight substitutes are held in pivotal, quite genuine esteem.

No other country currently does the formula better (or more stably, personnel-wise) … especially as South Africa have a broadening penchant for maximising their forward power with a 6-2 split.

The visiting All Blacks, staring down the barrel of a rare fourth Test reverse on the trot after their 26-10 whipping at Mbombela last weekend, will take no comfort later on Saturday from the knowledge that Ellis Park is a tough enough place for opponents to prosper at, without even thinking about the likelihood of a particularly sustained Bok blitzkrieg at high altitude given their Bomb Squad formula.

The New Zealanders aren’t beaten yet, of course, and certainly have the pedigree and pride to cause a minor upset … but if the result is going to be decided at least in some measure by depth of match-day playing resources, the portents don’t look too good for them.

It should not have escaped their attention that the Boks have got familiarity, cohesion and buy-in among their impact customers down to a fine art.

It is evidenced from the fact that