Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Rassie Erasmus rips up the script again. In South Africa’s 45-0 dismantling of Italy, two eyebrow-raising tactical moves had fans divided — and Nigel Owens, rugby’s former top whistle-blower, weighing in with caution.
On World Rugby’s latest Whistle Watch, Owens took a magnifying glass to the Springboks’ opening sequence. Straight off the kick-off, Andre Esterhuizen sprinted ahead of the catcher, then stopped, drawing an early offside call – penalised with a scrum.
But that wasn’t the end of the innovation.
Moments later, South Africa pulled off something bordering genius or heresy — depending on who you ask. From open play, two forwards lifted a teammate without a lineout, forming a makeshift maul in the middle of the field. The man in the air carried the ball. It was legal — just.
That’s the line Erasmus continues to dance on. And increasingly, the rugby world is paying attention. Lawmakers. Fans. Pundits. They all agree: these kinds of plays are exploiting grey areas, and Nigel’s verdict — subtle but firm — suggests change might be coming.
This isn’t the first time Rassie’s tactics have sent shockwaves through the game. Nor will it be the last. But rugby’s lawmakers are watching, and Owens’ video — with its global reach — feels like a first step toward rule reinterpretation.
As the Boks prepare for Georgia this weekend, coaches worldwide are no doubt scribbling notes. Will South Africa pull another rabbit from the hat? Or has Nigel’s whistle started a process that shuts down loopholes before the Rugby Championship?
Blindsided verdict: Rassie Erasmus doesn’t break laws. He bends them until they creak. And while Nigel Owens may not be on the field anymore, his voice still shapes the future of the game.
