John Smit Reveals What Dave Rennie Was Really Trying to Deflect With ‘Walking Around’ Scrum Claim
- John Smit has given his verdict on Dave Rennie’s controversial claim about the Springboks’ scrum tactics
- The former Bok captain believes the accusation took attention away from how New Zealand disrupted South Africa at scrum time
- Smit has also explained why he did not believe the Springboks needed to use the tactic in Cape Town
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The controversy surrounding Dave Rennie’s “walking around” claim has taken another turn, with John Smit suggesting the accusation served a calculated purpose.
Speaking on the I Love Rugby podcast, the former Springbok captain argued that comments made around scrums can aim to influence match officials. Rennie’s remarks came after the All Blacks lost 33-26 to the Springboks in Cape Town last Saturday and drew a strong reaction from Rassie Erasmus.
Smit said he was surprised by the focus on the issue, explaining that the questions and responses surrounding the claim could be used to get a particular message across to referees.
“All of those comments and all of the questions, they’re all directed and what answer you give is directed at trying to get some form of message through to the officials and I find it amazing,” Smit said, according to SA Rugby Magazine.
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From there, Smit turned his attention to how New Zealand handled the Springboks’ scrum pressure in Cape Town, particularly the changes that helped the All Blacks limit its impact.
Smit breaks down how the All Blacks fought back
Smit pointed to the Springboks’ scrum strength, with Ox Nché and Gerhard Steenekamp among the forwards he identified as important contributors. He recalled the Ellis Park Test, where South Africa had put the All Blacks under huge pressure, saying he had not seen a scrum “destroyed like that in a long time”.
The picture changed in Cape Town, however. Smit felt New Zealand had adapted and done a better job of limiting the Springboks’ dominance, although he still believed South Africa had the upper hand.
He singled out the repeated resets as an important part of the All Blacks’ approach. According to Smit, New Zealand had 6 scrums reset, which helped them avoid prolonged pressure and reduce the impact of the Springboks’ powerful set piece.
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Smit: ‘I certainly didn’t see it’
Smit was equally clear when asked about the “walking around” tactic itself.
“Walking around is a pretty easy one because you can actually see it,” he said.
“It’s a tactic and a legal one, but I haven’t seen that from our crew. We haven’t really needed to do that with anyone.”
Smit said he had not witnessed the Springboks using the tactic during Saturday’s match, insisting it was not something he had seen from the team.
In his assessment, Rennie’s comments were less about what South Africa were doing and more about shifting the spotlight away from New Zealand’s own efforts.
Smit characterised the accusation as “a ploy and a clever one” intended to deflect from the All Blacks’ attempts to “depower the Springboks scrum”.
The focus will now turn to Johannesburg, where the scrum battle will resume at FNB Stadium in Saturday’s 3rd Test.
Kurt-Lee Arendse backs Springboks ahead of All Blacks decider
Briefly News also reported that Kurt-Lee Arendse is confident the Springboks have sharpened their preparations for the final Test against New Zealand.
The winger explained that South Africa changed its approach after the opening encounter, placing greater emphasis on what the Boks need to do themselves and where they can improve.
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Source: Briefly News
