Forgot About Handre: The Springboks' First Five Dilemma

This weekend’s All Blacks vs Springboks match sees arguably the two best first five-eigths in the world go head-to-head in Beauden Barrett and Elton Jantjies. But, asks Jamie Wall, where does that leave Handre Pollard?

Even the most one-eyed fans out there have to admit Beauden Barrett is the top number 10 in world rugby right now. The All Black first five has seemingly developed some sort of telepathic relationship with the ball in 2016, whether he’s kicking it, receiving it or running it.

The All Blacks are short odds favourites to dispense with the Springboks in Christchurch on Saturday, which is a shame considering the unparalleled rivalry the two nations have had over the last 95 years. It’s even more of a shame considering the absolute classic tests that the sides have produced over the last few years.

But also, from a Springbok point of view, it’s a shame because they’re the only other side going around these days that can actually boast some depth at first five. Starting this weekend will be Elton Jantjies, who put together a stunning body of work during Super Rugby.

Jantjies’ Lions side defied all conventional logic to make it all the way to the final, and a lot of that can be put down to the 26-year-old’s running and goal kicking. Ultimately, they lost that game (to Barrett’s Hurricanes, no less), but gained a serious amount of respect and hope for the upcoming test season.

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Meanwhile, sitting back in South Africa somewhere, is Handre Pollard. On the mend from a season-ending knee injury, Pollard was the Boks’ starting 10 for the last two seasons. He guided them to victory over the All Blacks in 2014 (scoring two tries), as well as booting 15 points in their 18-20 loss to the eventual World Champions in last year’s World Cup semifinal.

Many had pegged Pollard to be the man to take charge of a Springbok backline for the foreseeable future, but his injury and Jantjies’ irresistible form have thrown a little bit of doubt over that.

However, he has got the advantage of the fact that the Boks are currently going through one of their lowest ebbs ever. Losses to Ireland, Argentina and now the struggling Wallabies (probably the most embarrassing of the lot) have all come on Jantjies’ watch. It’s unfair to blame him at all – in fact his goal kicking has been one of the rare highlights – but if this season keeps going the way it has it’ll be hard for Jantjies to escape the stigma attached to it.

If Pollard can force his way back with a successful 2017 Super Rugby comeback, it will be a pretty big deal given the contentious racial quota system the Springboks have been forced to adopt by the South African Ministry of Sport. Jantjies has definitely earned his place on merit this season, which either completely justified or utterly condemned the quota system depending on your point of view.

One thing is for sure about next year: Boks coach Allister Coetzee will just be happy to have depth in at least one position. Provided, that it, he still has a job by the end of the season.