Pollard and Le Roux add experience to Bok backline
Handré Pollard and Willie le Roux will have the kicking and attacking responsibilities tomorrow in Cape Town as the Springboks prepare for a different clash against the hurting All Blacks.
It’s an all-important second Rugby Championship Test between the two sides, and after winning 31-27 last weekend in Johannesburg, the world champions will hope to clinch the second one at a venue where they haven’t had the desired success against the Kiwis in the past.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus again surprised with the seven changes he made and continues to stay unpredictable with his team selections in a match week.
Even though he mixed things up, a total of 13 players running out tomorrow at Cape Town Stadium (5pm kick-off) played in last year’s World Cup final against the New Zealanders, so they will know what to expect.
Captain Siya Kolisi was also passed fit and will lead the side after recovering from a facial injury sustained last weekend at Ellis Park. Erasmus explained his thoughts about the selection switches and what they are looking for from the team tomorrow afternoon.
“Sometimes there are games where we want to grow our team and sometimes there’s games where you desperately want to win. I think trying to win this game would mean a lot in the Rugby Championships for the last two rounds,” Erasmus said.
“Yes, there is a bit of disappointment from the guys who missed out, but they are handling it really well.”
“We feel it’s a game where we definitely will have to match their speed with which they played last week and we think having three backs on the bench will help in that regard.
“Yes, there is a bit of disappointment from the guys who missed out, but they are handling it really well.”
Pollard and Le Roux replace Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and fullback Aphelele Fassi. Although the youngsters didn’t really set a foot wrong last weekend in the first Test, a tighter contest is expected tomorrow and the experience of the returning duo could prove vital.
Double Webb Ellis Cup-holder Pollard kicked all the points in last year’s epic final, and will have to be accurate with the boot again this weekend. In the absence of Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Fassi, the Bok attack will rely heavily on 96-cap Le Roux who will move one Test closer to his century.
Even if the Bok attack is missing two of its brightest prospects, it’s still expected that they will score some good tries at Cape Town Stadium. The five-three bench split is also an interesting option, seeing that the Bomb Squad turned things around in the second half in Johannesburg.
Rassie Erasmus on picking a side unemotionally and how important that is to him and the other coaches/selectors. A specific team is selected because they feel they are best equipped for the Test and how the #Springboks aim to win it #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/A5TLUmCUVQ
— Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) September 5, 2024
“You must unemotionally pick a team and see what is the best side for this specific game and what we want to achieve.
“It was difficult making those changes, and doing so brings that bit of concern within the team with calmness possibly going out the window after winning last week. But Handré with 74 caps and Willie on 96, they come in again and there is a little more fire in the team. It (the changes) also helps to prolong their careers.
“But also we have two Tests left against Argentina and someone like Fassi will face the hostile crowds in Buenos Aires. So we are trying to give everyone a chance while the team wins.
“It’s going to be very tough to beat New Zealand in Cape Town. There is no altitude here, they enjoy it here. But we will be up for it and not get caught sleeping."
Springboks’ starting XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (capt), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche; Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Lukhanyo Am.