In the dark, cold aftermath of defeat against the Lions last week, Western Province coach John Dobson touched a raw nerve.
He questioned whether it was worth holding on to scrumming strongmen Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe if they are not getting bang for their "Bok", as it were, at scrum time.
"We need to consider whether we are doing the right thing if you can't get a reward for it," said the coach.
Dobson's frustration about the scrum, as well as the amplified debate about player safety, begs the question whether the set piece is on a slippery slope. Some felt the scrum was emasculated when the "hit" was outlawed.
"There should be a place for the scrum," asserts Gurthro Steenkamp.
The former Springbok prop, who is scrum consultant at second tier (Pro League Two) outfit Colomiers in Toulouse, believes the future of the set piece will be secure if lawmakers, match officials, coaches and players push in the same direction.
He advocates greater education and for more light to be shed in one of the game's darkest corners.
Changing attitudes
"It is not just about changing laws, it is about changing the attitude of coaches and players.
"We always talk player safety in the scrum but we are not preparing or conditioning the players for the scrum. They are fitter and stronger but not fit for scrumming.
"There's so much more stress on the player's lower back. They used to tell us to be chest out and then you'll have a natural arch in your back. With the new laws if you have an arched back your lower back will snap.
"I'm all for player safety but guys can't talk about 'back in my day'. The laws have been sufficiently tweaked to make the scrum safe."
Former Springbok hooker Hanyani Shimange concurs that the game is safer and that the scrum isn't about to lose its standing. "There is greater awareness. Changes have been made. The majority of the scrum injuries were on the hit. They have de-powered that part of the game," Shimange pointed out.
Steenkamp, who played in 53 Tests, believes the scrum has to be contested within the laws. He has no qualms telling the players under his tutelage "if you cheat in the scrum, you are not good enough".
"Coaches are trying to milk the penalties. That is the ripple effect of defences becoming so good because it is so difficult to breach. The scrum must be preserved as a platform from which to attack."
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