Kwagga Smith. Photo: Gallo Images.
Lions coach Swys de Bruin made an interesting switch this past weekend during his side’s superb 52-31 Super Rugby victory against the Stormers at Ellis Park.
In the 31st minute, Cyle Brink went off with a shoulder injury.
The stage was set for De Bruin to bring on a lock in Lourens Erasmus and switch captain Franco Mostert to blinside flank, where he’s played before at times this season.
After all, Mostert is 1.98m tall and weighs 108kg – he was the perfect replacement for the imposing Brink and would’ve meant the Lions kept their physical presence in the loose trio.
Instead, on came Marnus Schoeman – the on-loan Pumas fetcher who’s only 1.78m tall.
Smaller flankers have been out of fashion in 2018 as coaches generally favour big ball-carriers.
Lions hooker Malcolm Marx – a hulk at 1.89m and 112kg – has shown anyway that you need not be small to steal possession at the breakdown.
Having two small flankers in Kwagga Smith and Schoeman on the field then seemed like a substantial risk.
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The big guys rule (it seems): Typical SA loose trios this year
Lions: Warren Whiteley (1.92m, 108kg), Cyle Brink (1.90m, 102kg), Kwagga Smith (1.82m, 93kg)
Stormers: Nizaam Carr (1.84m, 103kg), Pieter-Steph du Toit (2,00m, 117kg), Siya Kolisi (1,88m, 102kg)
Sharks: Tera Mtembu (1.87m, 103kg), Jean-Luc du Preez (1.94m, 112kg), Philip van der Walt (1.94m, 108kg)
Bulls: Hanro Liebenberg (1.96m, 103kg), Thembelani Bholi (1.92m, 94kg), Roelof Smit (1.86m, 109kg)
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But the duo were simply outstanding.
In a game where the Lions – despite the scoreline – had to complete 186 tackles, Smith and Schoeman led the way and showed size doesn’t always matter.
Smith had a point to prove in this game as his defence had been heavily criticised previously and his statement was emphatic.
He completed an incredible 22 tackles, stole possession three times and still had enough in the tank for a try, 41m of ball-carries and a clean break.
Schoeman used his pace to great effect in a supporting role, applying pressure at the breakdowns and making 15 tackles in just under 50 minutes of work.
“Marnus did so well when he came on, especially for this kind of game,” said De Bruin.
“He was real irritation for the Stormers.”
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