1
Handre Pollard ruled out of Boks' clash with Ireland
By PA
Fly-half Handre Pollard will not be involved in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup clash with Ireland in Paris unless his side suffer a late injury crisis.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, the reigning champions expect to have lock Eben Etzebeth available for Saturday evening’s Pool B fixture at Stade de France.
Pollard was left out of the Springboks’ initial 33-man squad for the tournament due to a calf problem before being called up on Sunday in place of injured hooker Malcolm Marx.
The 29-year-old – a key man in his country’s victorious 2019 World Cup campaign – returned from injury on Friday evening as a second-half replacement in Leicester’s 18-14 Gallagher Premiership win at Sale.
Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said: “He will definitely not be selected for this, apart from if we get two or three injuries.
“He’s only just joined us today, he’s just played his first minutes in 14, 15 weeks for Leicester on Friday.
“That was basically the initial reason why we couldn’t bring him to the World Cup.
“It’s good to have him here and now he must get up to speed with our intensity of training sessions, get through our training sessions and slot in nicely.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’ve only played two games in this World Cup so I’m pretty sure somewhere we will press on his button and use him but not this weekend.”
South Africa have begun their title defence with victories over Scotland and Romania.
Influential second row Etzebeth was forced off by a shoulder injury against the Scots last Sunday but has made a swift recovery.
“He reacted well last week with his return to training, so yes he will be in contention for this week,” forwards coach Deon Davids said of the 31-year-old.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pollard is backup for the knockouts. This idea that he’s in the team to take Manie’s place is ridiculous. He’s played almost nil rugby in weeks. It would be stupidly risky despite his pedigree.
Off the bench after the Ireland game and only starting if Manie is injured.
At this point in time his role is that of Morne Steyn if Manie is fit and on form until the final.
I find it bizarre that anyone would suggest that Manie should be dropped when he is on form at 10. A plan needs to be made for the kicking, yes, but dropping your on form general is not one of them.
Rassie playing games, we all know Pollard is starting at 10 in the quarter if fit.
No RWC has ever been won with a novice at flyhalf, Rassies very aware of that and the pitfalls of Eddie Jones adventurism.
Both coaches know their rugby however one of them gets carried away with a messianic complex whilst Rassie will be far more down to earth and knows in the heat of RWC elimination it's logical to get the flyhalf that's won RWC in position.
Even with Pollard starting the Boks are going to have to bring it to win RWC, they are without Marx which is a huge blow.
Tonga. Off the bench. Covering 10 and 12.