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Pollard not a miracle-man warns Rassie

September 26, 2023

Springbok winger Sbu Nkosi

South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has warned the public not to expect miracles from Handre Pollard or to allow Manie Libbok’s exceptional skills be overshadowed by his goal-kicking woes.

 

Speaking in the aftermath of South Africa’s narrow defeat to world number one side Ireland in Paris on Saturday, Erasmus confirmed that Pollard would see action against Tonga on Sunday.

“Handre will play this weekend against Tonga, but let’s see how he does the other stuff in the game,” said Erasmus.

“Does he get through it on the contact side of things? I am sure he’ll also take some time to find his rhythm with his kicking under pressure.

“The Tonga game will be a great test for him as a yardstick to see where he is before we go, if we go, into those quarterfinals, and who will be on the field.

“Manie is certainly playing brilliant flyhalf rugby at the moment, but his goal-kicking is not matching that.

“And Handre is not Superman. Four weeks ago, he was totally not ready to play rugby. He has only played 40 minutes of rugby since.

“He can’t just come on the field and do goal-kicking. He must tackle, pass, do kick-offs, sidestep, do hand-offs and clean out at the rucks,” said the Springbok boss.

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Pollard not a miracle-man warns Rassie

September 26, 2023
Springbok winger Sbu Nkosi

South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has warned the public not to expect miracles from Handre Pollard or to allow Manie Libbok’s exceptional skills be overshadowed by his goal-kicking woes.

 

Speaking in the aftermath of South Africa’s narrow defeat to world number one side Ireland in Paris on Saturday, Erasmus confirmed that Pollard would see action against Tonga on Sunday.

“Handre will play this weekend against Tonga, but let’s see how he does the other stuff in the game,” said Erasmus.

“Does he get through it on the contact side of things? I am sure he’ll also take some time to find his rhythm with his kicking under pressure.

“The Tonga game will be a great test for him as a yardstick to see where he is before we go, if we go, into those quarterfinals, and who will be on the field.

“Manie is certainly playing brilliant flyhalf rugby at the moment, but his goal-kicking is not matching that.

“And Handre is not Superman. Four weeks ago, he was totally not ready to play rugby. He has only played 40 minutes of rugby since.

“He can’t just come on the field and do goal-kicking. He must tackle, pass, do kick-offs, sidestep, do hand-offs and clean out at the rucks,” said the Springbok boss.

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