In a surprising turn of events, Handre Pollard is set to don the Springbok jersey once again as South Africa prepares to face Tonga in their final Rugby World Cup pool game. The announcement comes after the defending champions suffered a setback with a 13-8 loss to the world’s number one side, Ireland, in Paris over the weekend. The defeat was marred by missed kicks, with fly-half Manie Libbok and scrum-half Faf de Klerk failing to convert 11 crucial points.
Handre Pollard, who famously led South Africa to World Cup glory in 2019, has been called up to the squad as a replacement for the injured hooker, Malcolm Marx. Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby, confirmed Pollard’s return to the starting lineup against Tonga in Marseille next Sunday. However, there are still questions about how Pollard will perform in various aspects of the game, given his recent return from injury.
Erasmus expressed his cautious optimism, saying, “Handre will play this weekend, but let’s see how he does the other stuff in the game. Does he get through it on the contact side of things? I am sure he’ll also take some time to find his rhythm with his kicking under pressure. The Tonga game will be a great test for him as a yardstick to see where he is before we go, if we go, into those quarter-finals, and who will be on the field.”
Pollard’s journey back to the national team has been nothing short of remarkable. The 29-year-old was initially left out of the 33-man squad due to a calf injury sustained in May. However, fate intervened when he was put on standby for the Springboks following Marx’s knee injury during training, ultimately leading to his return.
Erasmus emphasized that Pollard’s recovery and readiness should not be underestimated. “Handre Pollard is not Superman,” he quipped. “Four weeks ago, he was totally not ready to play rugby. He hasn’t even run at full pace four or five weeks ago. He has only played 40 minutes of rugby. He can’t just come on the field and do goal-kicking; he must tackle, pass, do kick-offs, sidestep, do hand-offs, clean out at the rucks.”
Erasmus also addressed the ongoing debate surrounding Manie Libbok’s performance. While Libbok has showcased impressive skills with the ball in hand and during open play, his goal-kicking has raised concerns. Erasmus acknowledged this issue, stating, “Manie is certainly playing brilliant fly-half rugby at the moment, but his goal-kicking is not matching that. He knows it, we know it, the world knows it, everybody keeps on talking about it.”
As South Africa stands second in Pool B, a victory over Tonga in Marseille next Sunday will secure their spot in the quarter-finals. The rugby world will be watching closely to see if Handre Pollard can rise to the occasion once again and help the Springboks defend their title in this thrilling Rugby World Cup 2023 campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rugby World Cup 2023
Q: Why was Handre Pollard called up to the South Africa squad for the Rugby World Cup 2023?
A: Handre Pollard was brought into the South Africa squad as injury cover for Malcolm Marx, who had to withdraw from the tournament due to a knee injury sustained during training.
Q: When will Handre Pollard make his return to the South African team in the Rugby World Cup?
A: Handre Pollard is set to return to the starting lineup for South Africa in their final pool game against Tonga, scheduled to take place in Marseille next Sunday.
Q: What was the reason for South Africa’s defeat to Ireland in the Rugby World Cup 2023?
A: South Africa suffered a 13-8 loss to Ireland in the World Cup due, in part, to missed kicks. Fly-half Manie Libbok and scrum-half Faf de Klerk missed four crucial shots at goal, contributing to the defeat.
Q: How long was Handre Pollard sidelined from rugby before his comeback for South Africa?
A: Handre Pollard had been sidelined for a significant period due to injury. Four weeks before his return, he was not considered ready to play rugby. He had not even been able to run at full pace during that time.
Q: What is the significance of the Tonga game for Handre Pollard’s return?
A: The Tonga game serves as a crucial test for Handre Pollard to assess his readiness and performance in various aspects of the game, including contact, kicking under pressure, tackling, passing, and more. It will help determine his readiness for potential quarter-final matches.
More about Rugby World Cup 2023
- Rugby World Cup 2023 Official Website
- Handre Pollard’s Rugby Career
- South Africa Rugby Team
- Ireland Rugby Team
- Malcolm Marx’s Injury Update
- Manie Libbok’s Performance
