Veteran Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard need to guide the attack against the All Blacks in the second Test in Cape Town
Image: AFP
The Springboks haven’t often lost their way in Test matches since the last Rugby World Cup. But, on the odd occasion when they have, it’s not been a pretty sight.
As was evident during their second-half unraveling against the All Blacks at Ellis Park, the Springboks’ system collapsed not from a lack of physical effort, but from a fatal loss of tactical control that stemmed from a variety of factors such as a backline reshuffle, injuries and unforced errors.
With the second Test at DHL Stadium in Cape Town now a non-negotiable must-win, all eyes will turn to flyhalf Handré Pollard to step up, take the reins, and restore order to the Springboks’ play.
The chaotic performance in Johannesburg bore a striking resemblance to last year’s defeat in Auckland. On that occasion, Pollard produced a mixed bag, caught in the crossfire of a game plan that fell apart early on in the match.
It was Pollard’s loose pass that helped the All Blacks put the Boks back in their own 22 before scoring from the resulting lineout in the third minute of that rain-soaked match. From then onwards the Boks had to play catch-up.
In both matches in Auckland and Johannesburg, the Springboks were their own worst enemies — rushing their execution, forcing desperate passes in contact, and abandoning the patience that normally underpins their game.
Much of the fallout from Ellis Park centred on young Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, but laying the blame at the playmaker's doorstep would be wholly unfair. The execution errors stemmed further forward, where the Springbok pack repeatedly served up sloppy passes out of the back. Instead of building relentless phases and forcing the All Blacks to make tackles before striking, the forwards tried to force passes, handing New Zealand the exact transition chaos they thrive upon.
Pollard has been given the reins for Saturday, with coach Rassie Erasmus backing his leadership and game management in what is expected to be a wet encounter in Cape Town.
While Feinberg-Mngomezulu brings undeniable flair and explosive instinct and is going to be vital to close out Saturday’s Test, Pollard has been there, done it and won two Rugby World Cup titles.
The hope is that he can bring authority and composure to dictate the tempo of the match and direct his pack around the park against an All Blacks team that are back to their streetwise best.
When the Springboks are at their absolute best, their forward dominance is not merely about brute force; it is about relentless, disciplined pressure. Pollard understands better than anyone how to turn that engine-room power into territorial dominance and scoreboard pressure.
He knows when to pin the All Blacks deep in their own half with his tactical kicking, and when to flatten the attack to unleash his heavy runners over the gainline.
Against a New Zealand side brimming with confidence after their Johannesburg ambush, the Springboks cannot afford another frantic performance, littered with mistakes.
If South Africa are to level the series in Cape Town, Pollard must take total charge from the opening whistle. He needs to quieten the noise, fix the alignment, and ensure that the immense work of the Springbok pack is converted into points rather than turnovers.
The blueprint to beat the All Blacks has not changed, but it requires a conductor to execute it — and Pollard must be that man on Saturday.
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