The Boks took a tough loss against Ireland last weekend after Manie Libbok and Faf de Klerk collectively missed 11 points. Now it seems the outcry was felt, as the Boks coach has decided to bring Handre Pollard for the Tonga clash. Pollard will play his first test since August 2022.
The Springboks will face Tonga in Marseille this Sunday, 01 October (Kick off at 9pm in South Africa), and Coach Jacques Nienaber has made some strategic changes to the starting lineup for this crucial Rugby World Cup pool match.
With hopes high for a quarter-finals spot, Nienaber has shuffled the squad, making 12 changes from the last game against Ireland. Notably, Siya Kolisi will lead as captain for his 50th appearance, and Eben Etzebeth and Jasper Wiese are retained to bolster the forwards. On the bench, there’s a traditional split of five forwards and three backs.
Pollard’s return marks a significant moment, as he’s been sidelined for 19 weeks due to injury. His partnership with scrumhalf Cobus Reinach is eagerly anticipated, and the hard-running centre duo of Andre Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie is back in action. The wings will be patrolled by Makazole Mapimpi and Grant Williams, who showcased their skills against Romania. This match is not just a game; it’s a chance for Pollard to make a triumphant return and for the Springboks to secure their path to the quarter-finals.
Springbok team vs Tonga in Marseille:
15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 89 caps, 70 pts (14t)
14 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 7 caps, 10 (2t)
13 – Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 9 caps, 20 pts (4t)
12 – Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins) – 15 caps, 0pts
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 40 caps, 130 pts (26t)
10 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 67 caps, 665 pts (7t, 91c, 145pg, 5d)
9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 29 caps, 60 pts (12t)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 25 caps, 5 pts (1t)
7 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 72 caps, 15 pts (3t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 78 caps, 50 pts (10t)
5 – Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers) – 15 caps, 0 pts
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 115 caps, 25 pts (5t)
3 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 46 caps, 0pts
2 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 9 caps, 5 pts (1t)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 24 caps, 0 pts
Replacements:
16 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 17 caps, 0 pts
17 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 78 caps, 10 pts (2t)
18 – Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92) – 65 caps, 5 pts (1t)
19 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 69 caps, 15 pts (3t)
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 36 caps, 30 pts (6t)
21 – Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 14 caps, 12 pts (2t, 1c)
22 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 64 caps, 70 pts (14t)
23 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 11 caps, 74 pts (1t, 21c, 9pg)
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