There was no sign of Handre Pollard in the Springboks’ World Cup squad. Photo: BackpagePix
Will Springboks gamble on Pollard, De Jager for World Cup?
The Springboks’ World Cup selection decisions when it comes to Handre Pollard and Lood de Jager may not be so cut and dried.
There was no sign of Handre Pollard in the Springboks’ World Cup squad. Photo: BackpagePix
The thought of either Handre Pollard or Lood de Jager not going to the World Cup would be almost beyond belief, but the selection of these Springboks veterans is not as straightforward as largely expected.
Pollard – for one – is in a race against time to prove his fitness for the Springboks’ World Cup opener against Scotland after a calf injury has taken longer than expected to heal.
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The veteran flyhalf has seen his recovery timeline pushed back on more than one occasion, and there is cause for concern about his fitness.
Pollard is reportedly still in solo training with the team physiotherapist and is not yet running at full pace, and it remains to be seen whether there may be real concern over his availability for the majority of the World Cup pool stages.
If that is the case, the Springboks would really need to gamble on his selection if they opt to take him to the World Cup.
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An unexpected concern has also arise over De Jager considering that he has only managed to play in one game against New Zealand in Auckland during the Rugby Championship, when he looked decidedly out of sorts.
Illness apparently prevented him from featuring against Argentina in Buenos Aires, and in his absence the likes of Jean Kleyn, Marvin Orie and RG Snyman have all enjoyed some decent returns so far in 2023.
Against expectation, this is another big call that the Springbok coaches would have to make.
The good news, though, is that Siya Kolisi is making good progress in his injury recovery, and is expected to feature in warm-up game before the World Cup.
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SPRINGBOKS’ POOL B FIXTURES
As times SA
Sunday, 10 September – South Africa v Scotland, Stade de Marseille, Marseille – 17:45
Sunday, 17 September – South Africa v Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux – 15:00
Saturday, 23 September – South Africa v Ireland, Stade de France, Saint-Denis – 21:00
Sunday, 1 October – South Africa v Tonga, Stade de Marseille, Marseille – 21:00
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