The former Leinster and Ulster coach has been a staunch critic of the Springboks' tactics, including their loading of forwards on their bench
Matt Williams had a hilarious reaction when it was revealed that Irish rugby fans think South Africa are advancing the game.For instance, when Rassie Erasmus' side opted to include seven forwards and just one back on their bench for their pool stage match against Ireland, Williams went as far as to call it morally incorrect.
He said: “Is it legal? Yes. Is it smart rugby for the World Cup? I've got to say yes. Is it good tactics? Yes. But it is not morally correct. “What I'm saying is that if lower levels of the game copy the Springboks, and they will, there are props and second rowers playing in lower levels of the game. "If they are fatigued and the opposition bring on seven fresh forwards and they go for a scrum later on in the game knowing they could get a penalty and win the game, those guys' spines are in danger. “I will not be quiet, because I've seen it. All of us that have seen it first hand have a responsibility to remind the next generation to not go back there. “I have great admiration for the Springboks, I admire them as a rugby nation, they're one of the greatest in the world alongside New Zealand. This is not right for the game." Williams has gotten some stick for his firm stance, and this may have prompted his colleagues on Virgin Media, for whom he has been working as a pundit throughout the World Cup, to conduct a poll to ask Irish fans: 'Are Rassie Erasmus and South Africa advancing the game?' The results showed that 61% thought that the Boks were advancing the game, 28% thought they weren't, and 11% thought they were 'pushing it too far'. Williams' reaction to the poll in the Virgin Media studio was hilarious as he implored the people of Ireland to rethink their decision. "Dear people, we need to talk," he laughed. "We seriously need to talk to the people of Ireland, we need a chat."
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