Rugby world takes note of Boks' 7/1 bench bombshell: 'They've gone nuclear'

The Springboks made headlines with their team selection for Saturday's crunch Rugby World Cup Pool B encounter.

Coach Jacques Nienaber opted for a 7/1 forward-backs split on the bench, meaning Cobus Reinach is the only backline reserve.

READ | Bok selection deep dive: Why 7/1 bombshell trumps 161 Tests in Willie and Duane

The Boks made the same tactical play when they thrashed the All Blacks 35-7 at Twickenham last month in a World Cup warm-up match, but it came as a surprise that they opted for the same route in the tournament proper against the world No 1-ranked team.

Social media was abuzz, with rugby pundits around the globe hotly debating the topic on social media.

Should Ireland allow South Africa to dictate terms ahead of Saturday's World Cup clash? | ?? v ????

??? 'Over to you Andy Farrell. Does he have to got with a 6-2 now? I don't know.'

??? 'If Ireland were to change their team... does that already cede some ground?' pic.twitter.com/6xGdbje5bD

Prominent media outlets around the globe also took note.

The New Zealand Herald called it a "bold strategy", while their headline story on Wednesday morning focused on "what an All Blacks 7/1 bench split would look like".

"It effectively gives South Africa a new forward pack to bring on in the second half against Ireland," wrote the Herald's Will Toogood.

The Irish Independent dubbed it "South Africa's bomb squad goes nuclear".

"In 2019, they nick-named their bench 'The Bomb-Squad' as the replacements played a pivotal role in delivering the World Cup.

"Now, they've gone nuclear and the Munster pair of Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman have been included among the replacements," wrote Ruaidhri O'Connor.

The Independent also featured a Great Debate on whether Ireland should try to counter