Springboks tactics: 'The law is clear. You may NOT deliberately infringe' - Craig Ray, rugby analyst

CapeTalk's John Maytham speaks to Craig Ray, a rugby analyst and Sports Editor at Daily Maverick.

Listen below:

The Springboks scored seven spectacular tries in a 45-0 victory over Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday, 12 July, in a performance that bodes well for the remainder of the season, and gave Willie le Roux the perfect way to celebrate his 100th Test cap.

"Initially, I thought that was quite smart, but the more I thought about it, I also didn't love it. What made me really change my mind was when the Italian coach said after the game that the Boks would've beaten them anyway, they didn't need to do these tactics, it was disrespectful... I didn't mind the other two line-out mid-field mauls, but kicking it short from the start just to gain a scrum - is it within the spirit of the game? No, and [World Rugby] law 9.7 is quite clear as well, saying that you should not deliberately infringe in the game, and that was a deliberate infringement."

- Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick

"Teams will get wise to these tactics as well, but a lot of people have been moaning about the maul in general in rugby... it is really deliberate obstruction, isn't it? There are three or four players in front of the ball carrier... we see it all the time, it happens at just about every lineout. Maybe World Rugby need to reconsider the rolling maul..."

- Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick

"I thought what was really impressive at the weekend was the attack development. It's really starting to look a lot sharper. I think Manie Libbok, we've got to tip our caps, I think he brings out the best in our attack. He's just a selfless fly-half who makes everyone else look better. His kicking yip also seems to be improving... he could be unlocking a lot more Springbok potential."

- Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick

The Springboks will face off against Georgia on Saturday, 19 July, at 5:10 pm, at Mbombela Stadium.

Ray tries to share his predictions for the match, but says it's hard with Erasmus at the helm, who has so many options available to him. 

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"With Rassie, I just really don't know... he has so many options available to him at the moment. It's really hard to pre-pick a Springbok team. My best guess is to say he's got lots of options, and I think it will be a really different-looking team from either of the teams we've seen so far this year. He's got so many ways to tinker with this team... there's just so much flexibility with this Springboks team."

- Craig Ray, Sports Editor - Daily Maverick

ALSO READ: Junior Boks take on New Zealand in World Rugby U20 Championship final on Saturday

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