Springbok flank Kwagga Smith says the Bomb Squad has something to prove against Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday.
Coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for a five-three split on the bench for the Test at Mbombela Stadium, with props Thomas du Toit and Vincent Koch, hooker Bongi Mbonambi, lock RG Snyman and Smith in the forward contingent.
The 32-year-old, who hails from Mpumalanga, admitted at Wednesday’s press conference that the Bok bench did not make the desired impact in the first Test against Italy.
On that occasion, Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Koch, Snyman and Franco Mostert ran on together in the 47th minute, with Smith following soon after.
And while the Boks went on to win 42-24, the Azzurri outscored them 21-14 in the second half.
“With the Loftus match, we did not have the impact from the bench that we wanted,” said Smith, who will earn his 53rd Test cap this Saturday. “We didn’t influence the game, but I must also say that Italy played much better in the second half than in the first.
“I think our guys coming off the bench want to live up to the Bomb Squad reputation. You play 40 games off the bench and kind of build up a reputation. Then in one game things don’t work out for you, and suddenly people say the Bomb Squad has been defused.”
Smith said they were determined to detonate in Nelspruit.
“We know we may not have been at our best on the field that day, so we’re definitely going to want to put that right.”
TEAM: Siya back for Boks, trio make Test debut
Smith was pleased for fellow-Mpumalanga man Marnus van der Merwe, who is one of three uncapped players in the starting XV, along with fellow front-rowers Neethling Fouche and Boan Venter.
“I’m very happy and proud for Marnus and everyone else who has made it to this level from the Lowveld,” he said. “One can relate to how they grew up and the journey they have been through to get here, so it’s fantastic to see him achieve this honour.”
Georgia are ranked 11th in the world and coming off losses to a second-string Ireland in Tbilisi and the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. However, Smith said the Springboks were taking them seriously.
“They are strong and hard people, who grew up in a tough country, so they are a good team, and we know it’s going to be a challenging battle,” said Smith, who scored a try the last time the Boks faced Georgia, in Pretoria in 2021.
“They will be physical and they’ll keep fighting and playing until the end, no matter what the score is. This is a huge opportunity for them to prove themselves, and for their players to show what they can do and possibly get contracts overseas.”
RASSIE: We have a good feeling about Cobus
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
