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Springbok Bomb Squad will ignite again, vows Kwagga Smith

Springbok Bomb Squad member Kwagga Smith is ready to light the fire off the bench against Georgia this weekend in Nelspruit. Image: BackpagePix The Springbok Bomb Squad knows they did not have the desired impact in the first Test against Italy, but that does not mean opposition sides have figured out how to defuse the famed replacement bench of the world champions. Utility forward Kwagga Smith, a big role-player in the Bomb Squad, is eager to make an impact off the bench this weekend when the world champions take on Georgia in the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. They haven't selected a 6-2 bench like in the first Test against Italy, but five of the players looking to make an impact on Saturday were on the bench that day, where they failed to fire. 🇿🇦💥 THE BOK BENCH: PURE POWER & OVER 400 CAPS! 💥🇿🇦 Just look at the talent ready to make an impact for the Springboks on Saturday! This is a 'Bomb Squad' packed with 437 caps of experience! 🤯 Rassie knows what he is doing.#Springboks #BombSquad #AllThingsRugby — All Things Rugby (@AllThingsRugbyX) July 16, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading According to Smith, they don't believe that teams have figured out how to stop the Springbok Bomb Squad. Italy played better in that second half at Loftus Versfeld and didn't allow the replacements to make the desired impact. 'We know we probably weren't playing to the best of our ability against Italy when we came off the bench,' Smith said about the replacements. 'We didn't have the influence we wanted to. Italy played better in the second half, and they found each other and gelled. You must consider that. "e do want to maintain that reputation when coming off the bench. You play together for many matches, and then in one game, things don't go according to plan, and suddenly everyone says they've figured us out. What's better than a training session on a sunny winter's day in the Lowveld? 😍#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) July 16, 2025 'We are not too fazed about it and will look to our standards. However, we want to set things right. Yes, we do have a 5-3 split and not a full Bomb Squad. "But every guy wants to lift the standard. It was the first game of the season, and the last time we played together was six months ago.' Smith says they are aware of the physical threat Georgia will bring. He believes they are well-prepared for it. The Springboks expect them to target the breakdown, like Italy did during that first Test. 'They are tough people, strong and play with a lot of passion. Everyone wants to measure themselves against the Springboks, so we know it will be a battle. They will be physical, and they won't take a step back. 'It doesn't matter what the scoreboard says; they will keep coming at us. For them, this is an important opportunity to prove themselves against the best.' He says they've rectified their shortcomings at the breakdown since taking a 'beating' from Italy two weeks ago. Now, they want to maintain the standard that was set during the second Test in Gqeberha. The utility player believes the Boks have reached some of their goals over the last three matches as they look to tick a couple more off on Saturday. The #Springboks team to face Georgia feature a new-look front row, while Siya Kolisi is back for the first time in 2025 💚💛#ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) July 15, 2025 'Rassie (Erasmus) has used the entire squad well. Each guy is getting a good amount of rugby, and that was maybe part of our goals. For me, I just wanted to get used to the Bok system (again). 'We don't see each other for six months. Yes, we have alignment camps, but on the field is where you learn about each other. "We have a few new guys who have come in, and you must adapt to playing with them. That goal was achieved because we played different combinations over the four games. 'Things went better since Pretoria and the guys playing this weekend, we have a responsibility to maintain that standard and improve.'