Springboks choose Pollard at fly-half for Ireland Test
JOHANNESBURG: Handre Pollard was given the key fly-half role when South Africa named an experienced team on Tuesday to face Ireland in the first match of a two-Test series in Pretoria on Saturday.
There had been speculation that the more creative but inconsistent goal-kicker Manie Libbok might get the nod for the highly anticipated clash of the top-ranked teams. But coach Rassie Erasmus kept faith in Pollard, whose 100 percent goal-kicking record played a crucial role in South Africa achieving back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles last October.
Pollard did not make the initial 2023 World Cup squad for France due to injury but came in during the tournament as a replacement after hooker Malcolm Marx was ruled out. The goal-kicking of the Leicester fly-half proved crucial in France as South Africa edged France, England and New Zealand in the knockout rounds to retain the title.
Libbok did not even make the bench with South Africa opting for a 6-2 forwards-backs split with Grant Williams and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu covering all the backline positions. Pollard is one of 12 starters from the 2023 World Cup final against the All Blacks who will start against Ireland before a sell-out 52,000 crowd at Loftus Versfeld stadium.
Injuries have sidelined full-back Damian Willemse and prop Steven Kitshoff and back-rower Duane Vermeulen retired after helping the Springboks win back-to-back World Cup finals. Veteran Willie le Roux replaces Willemse, Ox Nche takes over from Kitshoff and Kwagga Smith comes in for Vermeulen. Le Roux, Nche and Smith all came off the bench in the 2023 World Cup final, won 12-11 by South Africa against 14-man New Zealand at the Stade de France. — AFP