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RWC 2027 \u2013 Go All Out | RP<\/p>\nThe importance of the bench in contemporary rugby is best illustrated by the Springboks\u2019 much-vaunted \u201cbomb squad\u201d in recent years.<\/p>\n
The Springboks\u2019 use of tactical substitutions is more brazen than that of any other country. It has included emptying the entire bench at once, replacing their captain at half-time, and selecting seven forwards and just a single back.<\/p>\n
How does one truly measure the effectiveness of the bench? The score over the last 20 minutes, when most replacements are typically on the field or have a chance to make an impact, is a good indicator.<\/p>\n
RWC 2027 \u2013 Go All Out | RP<\/p>\n
Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup is heading to Australia and we\u2019re going bigger than ever to welcome the world. 24 nations and territories. Seven cities. Six weeks. One cup.
Register your interest now for Pre-sale details.<\/p>\n
Register your interest<\/a><\/p>\n Men\u2019s Rugby World Cup is heading to Australia and we\u2019re going bigger than ever to welcome the world. 24 nations and territories. Seven cities. Six weeks. One cup. In their last 12 Rugby World Cup<\/a> games, the Springboks have outscored opponents 143-24 in the last 20 minutes. In their three single-point victories in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, South Africa<\/a> didn\u2019t concede a point in the last twenty minutes.<\/p>\n The Springboks have mirrored that dominance in the last quarter, maintaining their world number one ranking in 2024 and 2025. In the last twenty minutes of their previous 27 Tests, South Africa have outscored opponents 355-119.<\/p>\n South Africa lost twice in 2024. In each of those defeats, they failed to win the last 20 minutes.<\/p>\n In 2025, South Africa piled on a staggering 26 unanswered points against the All Blacks<\/a> in the last twenty minutes of a record triumph in Wellington. On their unblemished Northern Tour, they only conceded a single try in the last quarter of five internationals, outscoring opponents 78-5, even while often playing with fewer than 15 players.<\/p>\n In the professional era, management of greater workloads and superior tactical awareness has increased the importance of the bench. Still, there hasn\u2019t been a strong narrative around outstanding bench performances or players because, for a long time, it was seen merely as a way to replace injured players. This is no longer the case.<\/p>\n Greatest Bench Performance?<\/p>\n The first-ever substitute in international rugby was used in 1968, when the British and Irish Lions<\/a> played against the Springboks. Irish legend Mike Gibson came onto the field during the match, which the Lions lost 25-20.<\/p>\n That same year, Ian Kirkpatrick was in the members\u2019 stand at the Sydney Cricket Ground when he received a historic call-up. As the first injury substitute for the All Blacks, he scored three tries in their 27-11 victory over Australia. Kirkpatrick was the first All Black to score three tries in a Test match since Pat Caughey accomplished the feat against Scotland<\/a> in 1935.<\/p>\n Kirkpatrick recalled, \u201cBJ (Lochore) tore his hamstring and broke his thumb, so the warm-up was just walking down the stairs of the members\u2019 stand. I don\u2019t remember the tries; I think I fluked them.\u201d<\/p>\n Kirkpatrick had suffered a thumb injury shortly before the match but did not disclose its severity to the selectors. Instead, he paid an Australian Olympic shot put representative $2 for regular massages to manage the pain.<\/p>\n Two of the most memorable moments in Rugby World Cup history involved replacement players. In the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, Stephen Donald<\/a> kicked a crucial penalty in the 46th minute for the All Blacks against France, bringing the score to 8-0. The final score was 8-7, and his story was later made into a film.<\/p>\n In 2015, Karne Hesketh scored one of the most famous tries in international rugby history when he dotted down in the corner during a match in Brighton, leading Japan<\/a> to a stunning 34-32 victory over the Springboks. Hesketh is married to Carla Hohepa<\/a>, a World Cup winner with the Black Ferns. In 2021, Dane Coles<\/a> scored four tries off the bench for the All Blacks in a 57-23 victory against Fiji<\/a> in Dunedin.<\/p>\n Who could forget the remarkable performance of the Springboks in their 16-15 Rugby World Cup semi-final win against England<\/a> in 2023? The match saw powerhouse scrummaging by Ox Nche<\/a> signal a momentum shift, followed by a try from the formidable lock RG Snyman. Dead-eye goal-kicking from Handre Pollard<\/a> ultimately secured South Africa\u2019s victory.<\/p>\n All Blacks Next Level<\/p>\n Undoubtedly, the All Blacks represent the most dominant rugby dynasty in history. From their 33-6 victory over Australia<\/a> on September 19, 2009, to their 29-40 defeat against Ireland<\/a> in Chicago on November 9, 2016, the All Blacks secured two Rugby World Cups and won 88 out of 97 Test matches during this period.<\/p>\n The influence of the reserves during this time was significant. When the All Blacks triumphed in the Rugby World Cup in 2011, they did not concede a single point in the last 20 minutes of their final four matches. In 2015, they outscored their opponents 95-10 in the final twenty minutes, with 41 of those points coming during the playoffs.<\/p>\n In their flawless 14-0 season in 2013, the All Blacks outscored opponents 183-53 in the last half hour of all their matches.<\/p>\n Hooker Keven Mealamu<\/a> had a distinguished career, starting 55 of his 132 Test matches from the bench. He achieved 47 wins as a reserve and remained unbeaten in 27 Tests from 2009 to 2015.<\/p>\n Before Daniel Carter\u2019s retirement in 2015, Beauden Barrett<\/a> rarely started for the All Blacks but was highly effective in a support role and across the backline. By the end of 2023, Barrett had been a replacement in 40 Tests and had only lost once. His most memorable contribution was scoring a try in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, but it\u2019s worth noting the 26 points he scored off the bench against Wales<\/a> in 2016. Additionally, his tackle on Willie Le Roux<\/a> was pivotal in the All Blacks\u2019 thrilling 38-27 victory against the Springboks at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, in 2013.<\/p>\n Sonny Bill Williams also proved to be a formidable impact player, winning 15 out of 16 Tests from the bench. His contributions during the 2011 Rugby World Cup included 348 minutes on the field and four tries. His offload to Ma\u2019a Nonu for the first try after halftime in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final against Australia remains iconic.<\/p>\n Wyatt Crockett, a prop, holds the highest winning percentage of any player in international rugby, winning 66 of his 71 Tests (92.96%). He set the world record for most consecutive Test victories with 32 from 2014 to 2017 and won 42 out of 46 Tests played off the bench. Ironically, as a starter, he was undefeated with 24 wins and a draw against Australia. Ben Franks<\/a> also demonstrated reliability in short bursts, with 40 Tests as a substitute and 36 wins.<\/p>\n Charlie Faumuina, a Rugby World Cup winner in 2015, contributed 432 minutes across 13 Tests in 2016, achieving 12 victories. A crucial try he scored in the second half of a Test against France<\/a> in Paris shifted the momentum in favour of the All Blacks. All Blacks scrum coach at the time, Mike Cron, observed.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was an explosive athlete, light on his feet with great skills, which is unusual for a big man. He was strong in the scrum and could really change games, especially from the bench, where he could use his size and skill against a tiring opposition.\u201d<\/p>\n Between 2009 and 2016, the All Blacks were well served by several skilful and feisty halfbacks. Tawera Kerr-Barlow<\/a> started only twice in 27 Tests but was instrumental in two of the most successful seasons in All Blacks history. In 2013, he was part of the All Blacks\u2019 unprecedented 14 consecutive Test wins in a calendar year. In 2015, he contributed to the World Cup-winning team, coming off the bench in five matches and scoring two tries in the quarter-final against France.<\/p>\n Piri Weepu is best known for his composure during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. As a reserve, he excelled with 46 of his 71 appearances coming off the bench, achieving 39 wins, including a try against Australia in Brisbane in 2008 that helped the All Blacks secure a tight 28-24 victory. TJ Perenara<\/a> also enjoyed 47 of his 71 Test wins coming from the bench.<\/p>\nRWC 2027 \u2013 Go All Out | RP<\/p>\n
Register your interest now for Pre-sale details.<\/p>\n