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With the Odds Against the Springboks, Will the ‘Bomb Squad’ be Effective This Staurday?

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With a dismal win percentage in Australia (0% win rate for the current team and management over the last 4 years) the Springboks appear to be looking to deploy the ‘bomb squad’ to come off the bench to finish matches off – a tactic that worked well at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

In the video below Vincent Koch and Elton Jantjies chat to the media today ahead of the Springboks v Wallabies Rugby Game on 27 August at 7:30 am (SA Time) and 3 September. They will face Argentina in Buenos Aires on 17 September before hosting the Pumas in Durban a week later.

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Vincent Koch

Born in Empangeni, in Kwa-Zulu-Natal, on 13 March 1990, Vincent Koch attended Huguenot High School in the Western Cape between 2004 and 2008. The prop played for the University of Pretoria, which also helped produce Victor Matfield, Naas Botha and Joost van der Westhuizen, before representing Blue Bulls, Pumas in the Currie Cup and the Stormers. In 2016 he played for South Africa A in their home series against the England Saxons. Koch made his Test debut for South Africa at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship in July 2015. In the summer of 2016, Koch joined Saracens in the English Premiership. Koch rated the Premiership final win over Exeter in 2019, a 37-34 scrap, and the Champions Cup final against Leinster, a 20-10 win at St James’ Park the same year, as his top two games of his first 100 in a Saracens jersey. At the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan Koch was part of South Africa’s ‘Bomb Squad’ – the bench players who came on to finish matches off. In the tournament he was a replacement in all three of the knockout games as the Boks triumphed. Head coach Rassie Erasmus said: “They either come in and fix it when it is not going well on the park or it is a false alarm and maybe they don’t even get onto the park.”

Elton Jantjies

Elton Jantjies was born on 1 August 1990 in Graaff Reinet, a town in the Eastern Cape. He is 5ft 9½in, and weighs 88kg (13st 12lb). He attended Hoërskool Florida, in Johannesburg, where fellow professional rugby player Garth April was in the year below. His younger brother, Tony Jantjies, is also a professional rugby player, who has appeared for the Bulls and South Africa U20. Tony currently plays for Alcobendas, who play in the Spanish league. One of his first starring performances came in the 2011 Currie Cup final, when he was only 21. He slotted every kick for the Golden Lions in a 42-16 win over the Sharks, winning the Man of the Match award. Domestically, his career highlights came in 2016 and 2017. He led the Lions to the Super Rugby final in each year, although his side ultimately lost both. His Test debut came against Australia in the 2012 Rugby Championship. He also played New Zealand that year. He has dozens of tattoos, which he says are a story of “what it takes to get to the top”.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.