Rassie Erasmus is not known for missing many tricks when it comes to tactical thinking, whether in selection or playing mind-games.
However, South Africa’s controversial director of rugby has taken his eye off the ball in one of the Springboks’ traditional areas of strength – the set-piece, and, in particular, having depth at hooker.
It is one of the most influential positions on the pitch because of the key role at scrum and lineout, and the injury to Malcolm Marx, which put the best No.2 in the world out of the World Cup, gave Erasmus and head coach Jacques Nienaber a difficult dilemma.
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