Rassie Erasmus backs Handré Pollard ahead of England clash
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has moved to quell concerns about fly‑half Handré Pollard’s form after the Bulls’ heavy defeat to Leinster in the United Rugby Championship final. Speaking after the Barbarians victory in Gqeberha, Erasmus stressed that Pollard remains a reliable option for the national side and dismissed suggestions that the player’s recent club struggles would affect his international performance.
“There are no red warning lights flashing or concerns about Handré Pollard’s form, even though he hasn’t provided any support for the Bulls in recent games,” Erasmus said. Source: SA Rugby press conference, 28 June 2024
Pollard’s track record with the Boks
Erasmus highlighted Pollard’s longevity with the Springboks, noting that the 31‑year‑old has been a fixture in the squad since 2017 and has consistently delivered under pressure.
- Over 50 Test appearances for South Africa
- Key contributor in the 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign
- Regular starter in the 2023 Rugby Championship
The coach added that Pollard’s occasional off‑weeks are normal for any elite athlete and that there is no injury or tactical issue prompting a sudden dip in performance.
“Of course Handré didn’t shoot the lights out, but he never did it for us. He was always solid for the Springboks,” Erasmus remarked, reinforcing the view that Pollard’s value lies in his steady execution rather than flashy individual brilliance.
Emerging talent: Quan Horn gets a nod
While backing Pollard, Erasmus also praised the performance of young Lions fly‑half Quan Horn, who started at number 10 against the Barbarians.
“One of Quan’s strengths is his defence and the first attempt came from a man who ran over him. But the nice thing is that he stayed focused. He had some nice passes and tries for the boys and made really good kicks until he made contact with the ball,” Erasmus said.
Horn’s versatility earned him a utility‑back role in the 46‑man training squad, giving the Boks additional depth ahead of the Nations Championship opener.
Springbok squad for the England test
The upcoming Nations Championship match against England at Ellis Park on 4 July will feature a blend of experience and emerging talent. Erasmus confirmed the selection breakdown:
- 28 forwards
- 18 backs
Unused forwards: Paul de Villiers (flanker), Riley Norton (lock/loose forward), Ruben van Heerden (lock), Carlu Sadie (prop).
New backs: Vusi Moyo (flyhalf) and Jaco Williams (wing).
The full list of fly‑halves includes Handré Pollard, Manie Libbok and Vusi Moyo, with Quan Horn listed as a utility back.
Looking ahead: fixtures after England
Following the England encounter, the Springboks have a packed schedule:
- Scotland – Pretoria, 11 July
- Wales – Durban, 18 July
- Los Pumas (Argentina) – Buenos Aires, 8 August (one‑off test)
Erasmus expressed optimism about the group’s quality and the opportunity to integrate younger players such as Riley Norton, Vusi Moyo, Paul de Villiers, Carlu Sadie, Ruben van Heerden and Jaco Williams into the high‑performance environment.
“They all proved against the Barbarians and Zimbabwe teams that they have what it takes to play at the highest level and as coaches we are fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with them over the last two weeks,” he concluded.
