Two new rugby law changes could take away the Springboks’ biggest weapon

Thursday, 09 July 2026 at 14:35

byCharlie Elliott

South Africa have won the last two Rugby World Cups under Rassie Erasmus and are already favourites to make it three in a row in 2027. Based on current form, they remain the benchmark in Test rugby.

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Their dominance has prompted discussion over whether the international game risks becoming too predictable.

As a result, two potential law changes have emerged that could significantly reduce the Springboks' advantage, narrow the gap to the chasing pack, and make Test rugby more competitive.

Reduce replacements

This is arguably one of the most radical ideas being discussed to counter the Springboks. Rassie Erasmus has transformed how teams use the bench, popularising the 6-2 split that prioritises forward power in the closing stages of a match.

Many teams have since followed the same approach, sacrificing a replacement back for an extra forward and placing greater value on players who can cover multiple positions.

Modern rugby has become an 80-minute collision sport driven by the impact of eight fresh replacements, with the "bomb squad" approach now widely adopted.

There is growing debate over whether larger benches:

Increase collision intensity
Encourage bigger athletes
Reduce fatigue-created space
Make matches more attritional
Why smaller benches are being discussed

Reducing replacements from eight to five or six could:

Reward aerobic fitness
Create more open rugby late in games
Lower collision force
Reduce repeated high-impact contacts

The debate is becoming increasingly tied to player welfare and concussion concerns rather than entertainment alone.

It would also reshape squad building and match tactics.

No penalties in the scrum

Before this year's Six Nations, reports suggested unions were exploring changes to scrum sanctions so repeated infringements would no longer automatically lead to yellow cards.

Such a change would reduce one of the Springboks' biggest advantages. South Africa's scrum is widely regarded as the best in world rugby and has consistently won penalties while forcing opponents into the sin bin.

A key example came in Dublin, where Ireland's loosehead props, Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy, were both yellow-carded after sustained pressure from the South African pack.

Critics argue that teams are being punished simply because they are being overpowered.

"In what other sport can you be sent off basically for not being as good or as strong as your opponent?"

The argument is that a dominant scrum should earn penalties, but adding a yellow card can be excessive.

Supporters of the proposal insist it is not about reducing the importance of the scrum. Instead, they want a clearer distinction between illegal play and being physically outmatched.

Under the proposal, yellow cards would be reserved for deliberate offences rather than the cumulative effect of being dominated by a stronger pack.