'So Lekka': Erasmus’s Cheeky Nod to Rugby’s ‘Bomb Squad’ Tactic

Rassie Erasmus has consistently faced criticism head-on, particularly regarding his well-known “Bomb Squad” bench tactic. This week, the head coach of South Africa’s Springboks expressed his reaction to World Rugby's long-awaited ruling on the legality of the 7-1 bench split.

With just two words, “So lekka,” meaning “so nice” in South African slang, Erasmus shared his sentiments on X (formerly Twitter).

After a detailed review by medical and science experts, the governing body found no proof that the tactic leads to a higher risk of injury. World Rugby's chief executive, Alan Gilpin, stated that there are numerous ways to attain victory in a rugby match.

South Africa had already stirred the pot back in 2019 when they introduced the 6-2, and later, the 7-1 bench shape helped drive their win in 2019 and again in the 2023 World Cup campaigns.

At the time, critics like ex-Ireland captain Keith Wood and Scotland’s Gregor Townsend questioned if such a split reflected the true spirit of the game. Yet top-tier nations like France used the split with a positive outcome during this year’s Six Nations.

Even with the grumbling, Erasmus seems pretty set on his forward-loaded game plan. Back in October 2024, when World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont threw a question mark at the method, Erasmus shot off a response on X featuring a bomb emoji and a snappy line: “Good thing games [are] won or lost on the field and not in the boardrooms,” a sentiment that resonates even now.

With World Rugby’s decision now in the open, it’s clear that the Bomb Squad isn’t going anywhere, at least for now.