Erasmus explains Pollard recall ahead of wet-weather Springboks Test

Handre Pollard has been restored to the Springboks’ starting line-up for this weekend’s Test in Cape Town, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu moving to the bench. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the prospect of rain, along with Pollard’s experience and goal-kicking, influenced the decision.

Cheslin Kolbe’s absence was also important. Kolbe handled the kicking duties when Feinberg-Mngomezulu played last weekend, but his injury leaves South Africa with a different option for a match expected to be affected by wet conditions. Erasmus believes Pollard is the most dependable choice in that situation.

The coach said the selection was not the original plan. South Africa had hoped to win the first Test and use the subsequent match to experiment with other combinations. Canan Moodie’s availability, injuries to Kolbe and Grant Williams, and the failure to build winning momentum all contributed to more changes than Erasmus had initially expected.

Pollard began the 2026 campaign with a strong performance against Scotland on 11 July, when he was named Man of the Match. A hamstring injury then kept him out of the Wales Test the following week. He returned against Argentina nearly a month ago as a replacement and helped South Africa see out the match.

The choice also carries a local connection. Pollard grew up in Cape Town, which Erasmus identified as his home city. The coach also said Manie Libbok remains central to his plans despite losing the starting place for this Test.

Libbok came off the bench last weekend and is expected to play in the two matches after Saturday’s encounter. Pollard’s recall is therefore presented as a specific response to this week’s conditions and the need for accurate kicking, rather than a permanent change to South Africa’s fly-half plans.