South Africa’s Handre Pollard converts a try. Image: REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo
Springboks throwback: Pollard masterclass in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final
Handre Pollard kicked the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory in 2019. Here’s a recap of his virtuoso displays at clutch moments in Japan.
South Africa’s Handre Pollard converts a try. Image: REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo
Handre Pollard may not be at the Rugby World Cup in 2023, but his virtuoso performance for the Springboks in Yokohama against England in 2019 goes down as one of the great individual displays in the sport.
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Handre Pollard scored 69 points at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, 11 more than any other player. Owen Farrell, his opposite number in the final, scored 58. In the final, when it really mattered, Pollard mustered a display for the ages. Aggressively proactive almost from the first whistle, he struck a perfect balance between ball-carrying and kicking out of hand that flyhalves don’t consistently achieve in the modern game. 22 of the Springboks’ 32 points came from the then-25-year-old’s boot, including six penalties and conversions for both tries.
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Pollard kicked 14 points when the Springboks eventually saw off Wales 19-16 in a nerve-jangling semi-final. To say that the Springbok pivot was an integral part of their success in the land of the rising sun would be an understatement.
How will Jacques Nienaber’s men cope without Pollard’s BMT and vast experience in France? Let us know in the comments.
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Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game of rugby.
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