VIDEO: Starting for the Springboks or coming off the bench with the Bomb Squad, hooker Malcolm Marx always goes about his business the same way.
The 30-year-old Marx has become an integral part of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ Bomb Squad, a band of forwards who come off the bench to finish the game in the final 30-40 minutes.
The Springbok hooker has completely embraced the role of being a ‘finisher’, ‘reserve’, ‘replacement’ or whatever term used that has been completely revolutionised as a result.
This weekend Marx will once again make an impact off the bench, in his 73rd Test cap.
The big No. 2 overtook Schalk Burger as South Africa’s leading try-scoring forward when he grabbed his 17th Test try in the Rugby World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand at Twickenham.
Marx would continue his try-scoring form into 2024 where he became the first forward to notch up 20 tries for the Springboks by scoring a crucial five-pointer against the All Blacks in the 18-12 Cape Town victory.
He is known for his powerful running and ability to impact games all over the pitch, in open play as well as during set pieces.
Against the All Blacks in Cape Town Marx had a blinder scoring a crucial try and being a real pest at the breakdown as the Boks sealed the victory to clinch the Freedom Cup.
From unbelievable turnovers to jaw-dropping big hits, Marx is physically imposing and hard as nails.
His aggressive style of playing an attacking hooker who can change a game seemingly at will makes him unique among front rankers in the world and there is a very good reason for that.
While Marx has enjoyed an illustrious and successful career as a hooker, it has been far from orthodox. For starters, he has made a large portion of his international caps for the Springboks from off the bench.
While many world-class players might be unhappy about being a bench warmer, Erasmus created a culture and mindset around the squad emphasising the importance of the full matchday 22.
The strategy involves holding back some of your most physically imposing, athletic – and some might even argue most talented – players on the bench until midway through the second half when the tired opposition has even less chance of stopping them and it has been devastatingly effective for the Springboks.
More importantly, Erasmus got buy-in from the squad. He has repeatedly stated there is no ‘first choice XV’ with the Springboks and that each team is picked based on what is required for that specific match.
When the prolific Springbok hooker got injured during the World Cup, it was a massive loss for South Africa.
At the time Jake White, the Bulls’ Director of Coaching, wrote on RugbyPass: ‘For me, he’s probably the best hooker in the world and his loss seriously diminishes the Bomb Squad, which was already weakened with the loss of Lood de Jager and Frans Steyn.
‘It shows you the importance of that elite hooker role but I need to stress that his role off the bench is not a question of strength in depth. It’s because the Boks use a different system that uses two different front rows. I don’t think there’s a contest between him and any other hooker in South Africa.’
In 2023 Marx was the biggest nuisance at the ruck when he disrupted 31% of the defensive rucks, the best rate of any men’s player in all competitions.
(Article continues below…)
On Wednesday Marx explained to reporters that there is no difference in his approach to a Test match if he comes off the bench or has a starting berth.
“Everybody has a role and knows their role, whether you start or come off the bench.
“When I come off the bench, I just try and make an impact in a positive way.
“And you try to do the same when you start,” Marx explained.
“Each player just tries to do his best, whether you start or come off the bench, there is a broader picture,” he said, adding that he doesn’t pace himself when he starts.
“You know there are guys coming off the bench who are fresh and can just take over.
“If you come off the bench, you try and lift the intensity and try and bring different dynamics to the game as well.
“I don’t think there is a way that I approach the game differently if I start or not.”
