POLLARD’S BACK: Bok coach changes it up for must-win second Test against resurgent All Blacks

{JSON.stringify(article.attachments[0], null, 2)} --> Flyhalf Handrè Pollard returns to the Springboks starting line-up for Saturday’s second Greatest Rivalry Test against the All Blacks, while captain Siya Kolisi is bracketed.

There was something reassuring in Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’s tone as he explained his selections for the second Test against the All Blacks and his mindset after reviewing the 33-16 first Test loss.

There was no suggestion of panic, only steely resolve to improve and some deep introspection. Erasmus was not playing the blame game with officials, even if some marginal calls went against the Boks. It happens.

The only message that emanated from Erasmus’s lips at the Boks’ Hyde Park base was self-assessment, and a commitment to being better.

Six changes to the match-day squad for the second Test in Cape Town were not all down to what happened at Ellis Park last Saturday.

Wing Cheslin Kolbe and scrumhalf Grant Williams are injured and have been replaced by Ethan Hooker and Morné van den Berg, respectively. Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach is moved into the starting line-up for the second Test.

Flyhalf Handrè Pollard starts ahead of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who is retained on the bench, while wing Kurt-Lee Arendse has come through concussion protocols despite leaving the game early on at Ellis Park last week after his smart gum guard registered a head knock.

Veteran 39-year-old utility forward Deon Fourie is on the bench to cover hooker and flank for his first Test since the Rugby World Cup 2023 final.

Captain and openside flank Siya Kolisi has been bracketed with Paul de Villiers pending coming through some fitness tests on his hamstring this week. If Kolisi is cleared to play he will start and De Villiers will drop out of the match-day 23 altogether.

Because of the uncertainty over Kolisi, flank Pieter-Steph du Toit has been named captain for this weekend, which coincides with his 100th Test cap.

Loosehead prop Ox Nché will play his 50th Test in another milestone for the Boks.

It’s a clear signal from Erasmus that the Bok starting pack had the measure of New Zealand at Ellis Park, but it was the finishing of the entire team that let them down.

Erasmus was not shy to carry most of the blame for what transpired at Ellis Park, admitting he made some mistakes.

Nearly 48 hours after the final whistle at Ellis Park Erasmus admitted that he and the team were “irritated and frustrated”.