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Handre Pollard reportedly pulled from the second Test


AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - SEPTEMBER 05: Handre Pollard of South Africa arrives for the South Africa Springboks captain's run at Eden Park on September 05, 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
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Reports are surfacing that Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard has been pulled from the second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town.

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According to Netwerk24, the 32-year-old has a calf injury and will not take his place in the No.10 jersey.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who started the first Test, was named on the bench with Pollard elevated into the starting line-up. Mannie Libbok is expected to replace Pollard but it is unclear yet who will start and who will be on the bench.

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How the Springboks will be much more dangerous next time | RP

The Aotearoa Rugby Pod panel explains why South Africa’s high turnover count and poor execution are unlikely to be repeated, and where a sharper Springbok response will come from.

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How the Springboks will be much more dangerous next time | RP

The Aotearoa Rugby Pod panel explains why South Africa’s high turnover count and poor execution are unlikely to be repeated, and where a sharper Springbok response will come from.

Pollard was sidelined in July due to a hamstring injury ahead of the third and final Nations Championship fixture against Wales, while Feinberg-Mngomezulu has overcome an ankle injury suffered in the URC quarter-final to be ready for this series.

After two indifferent showings by Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Erasmus has turned to Pollard for his ability to deliver under “extreme pressure”.

“Handre has delivered for us under extreme pressure, and we feel that what he and Cobus have the potential to bring at the beginning of the game, and then have Morne and Sacha come on later with their different styles of play, will be good for us this weekend,” he said of the selection.

There still remains a question mark over captain Siya Kolisi who was named alongside Paul de Villiers on the team sheet.

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Kolisi returned from injury against Argentina but left before half-time with a hamstring issue.

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22 Comments
J
Jacque 45 days ago

& he’s not the only one.😉

Bet we’ll see a few oaks moaning about Rassie being dishonest tomorrow🤣

H
HS 45 days ago

And Kolbe starts as well.

B
B 45 days ago

I wonder if they stick with him as the goal kicker given the nature of his recent injury?

Be interesting.

O
Olly 45 days ago

Planned out I wonder?

H
HS 45 days ago

All the analyses can be thrown out the window.

C
CT 45 days ago

Champing at the bit Benny

C
ColinK 45 days ago

Who is the goal kicker now?

M
Mitch 44 days ago

Kolbe, SFM, Willemse and Libbok can all kick goals but perhaps not with reliability of Pollard.

G
Gg 45 days ago

So the others have never kicked a goal in their life?

G
Gg 45 days ago

Sucks. All Blacks prepared for this, now it shifts to a running game with Libbok, Sacha is best at fullback. But guess they'll continue with Feinberg-Mngomezulu. MB just speculation.

A
Ayre123 None 45 days ago

The circumbstances of Pollard’s injury are in doubt, he hasn’t played for 7 weeks except 15 minutes at Buenos Aires?

Could be the minister was upset with dropping of Libbok?

u
unknown 45 days ago

What minister???? BS!!!

K
KwAussie 45 days ago

It’ll be interesting to see how this changes their game plan and will we see more or less kicking. Bit of a shame for him as I’m sure he was looking forward to it.

L
Lou Cifer 45 days ago

The weather might’ve determined that already with inclement weather been forecast

N
Ninjin 45 days ago

I guess now the springboks will not be kicking at goal.

B
B 45 days ago

Lady fate has done them an absolute solid!

B
Bazzallina 45 days ago

Haha u won’t be alone in thinking that I would guess

B
Benji7 45 days ago

Huge loss. Surely have to start Libbok.

It is essentially a home ground for both Libbok and Sacha though, so that is the only positive.

J
JC 45 days ago

For me i fear libbok more than Pollard - or sasha more than pollard. Sasha simply isn’t what he was like in the first test, if he had another run he will be chomping at the bit to get the backline firing. Libbok equally dangerous. Abs fan here, i wonder if they pulled him on purpose, haha there is some conspiricy for you. ABs prepare all week for high balls and 3 pointers then they kick for the corner or go through the hands,.

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