Fly-half Handre Pollard, called up by South Africa on Sunday during the World Cup, will not play in the clash against Ireland on Saturday (9:00 p.m.), assured Springbok rugby director Rassie Erasmus on Monday.
“He will definitely not be selected this week, except if there are two or three injured,” his former coach explained during a videoconference during their victorious 2019 World Cup.
“He only joined us today. He has to get used to the intensity of our training sessions,” added Erasmus about Pollard, whose goalscoring qualities are lacking in current No.10 Manie Libbok, who is inconsistent against the poles. Reason for the recall of Pollard, author of 22 points in the final against England in 2019, who digitally and officially replaces hooker Malcolm Marx, out due to injury for the entire tournament.
As for second row Eben Etzebeth, absent during the victory against Romania after being injured against Scotland a week earlier, “he reacted very well last week”, detailed assistant coach Deon Davids. “He will be able to apply for a place this week.”