Eddie Jones has suggested Rassie Erasmus may have cleverly used the laws to South Africa’s advantage in their 30-22 Rugby Championship win over Australia. The former England and Wallabies boss believes a late change to the Springboks ’ back row was crucial in deciding the contest in Cape Town on Saturday. Jean-Luc du Preez was originally named to start at number eight, only to be withdrawn shortly before kick-off due to illness. In his place came Kwagga Smith – and Jones is convinced that played right into the Boks’ hands. Writing in his Planet Rugby column, Jones hinted that Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby, may have had more influence than the official explanation suggested. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. “One nuance that I think played into South Africa’s hands was the enforced change before kick-off that saw Jean-Luc du Preez swapped out for Kwagga Smith,” Jones said. “Now, I wouldn’t put it past Rassie Erasmus to have engineered this in his own intelligent way. "But Smith’s ability in the wet conditions around the breakdown, supported by [Marco] Van Staden and [Ox] Nche, was crucial for them.” The Wallabies struggled at the breakdown a week earlier, but Smith’s dynamism proved vital as the Springboks wrestled control of that area. Jones also used the moment to call for a change in the sport’s regulations, arguing that World Rugby’s rule requiring teams to be named days in advance should be scrapped. “I am against the regulation that insists on early named teams without the ability to make changes,” he wrote. “It’s a law I’d remove if I were World Rugby.” South Africa’s superior goal-kicking was another key difference according to Jones, who pointed to Handré Pollard’s flawless display from the tee compared to James O’Connor’s missed opportunities . “Pollard nailed a full house, James O’Connor left 11 points out there, getting three from seven,” Jones said. “Whilst JOC has run the backline well, scoreboard pressure is key at Test level, especially against the Boks.” Jones praised the impact of winger Cheslin Kolbe but admitted Australia were undone by missed chances and pressure on the scoreboard. It may not have been a vintage performance, but Jones believes the win will give South Africa a much-needed lift ahead of their looming double-header with the All Blacks. He also urged critics not to judge Erasmus’ side too harshly, claiming the Springboks are currently in a “transition” phase as they prepare for the next World Cup cycle.