Again at his previous stomping floor, Handre Pollard is worked up to execute the brand new attacking gameplan for the Springboks in opposition to Eire at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The primary Take a look at of the collection will see Pollard return to Loftus Versfeld for the primary time since July 2021.
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The 2-time World Cup winner began his skilled profession in Pretoria and represented the Vodacom Bulls till a transfer to France in 2019.
“It’s beautiful, man,” Pollard mentioned on his Loftus return. “It’s a particular place.
“I hold it expensive to my coronary heart. I spent seven years on the Bulls. I really like enjoying at Loftus. It’s one of many nice stadiums on the earth.
“To play a Take a look at match at a sold-out Loftus…it’s going to be a special occasion.”
Again within the driving seat after sitting out the opening Take a look at of the yr in opposition to Wales at Twickenham, Pollard has the duty of driving the Springboks ahead in a brand new attacking gameplan laid out by former All Blacks flyhalf Tony Brown.
“I actually take pleasure in Tony, he’s been an actual breath of contemporary air for us,” Pollard mentioned.
“We have been privileged to have Felix [Jones] prior to now. He was sensible. Tony simply thinks in regards to the sport slightly in a different way. He has expertise from all around the world.
“With the background that he has teaching groups throughout, he’s needed to search for house otherwise than we’re used to. We’re used to counting on our energy and physicality to get us over the gainline.
“He sees it in a different way and as a gaggle we’re at a degree the place we will use our ability set and never simply be one-dimensional and direct. We’re by no means going to go away from that, however he sees our guys utilizing our energy to create more room for our thrilling outdoors backs.
“We’ve loved him loads since he’s are available in. If that will get us going with the ball and enjoying a bit extra on the gainline, nice.”
Pollard watched from the stands when the Springboks final confronted Eire within the World Cup pool stage, which ended a 13-8 defeat for the boys in inexperienced and gold.
The 30-year-old mentioned there was loads of positives to take from that match, because the Boks had the chance to place the sport to mattress.
“We all know the alternatives will likely be there. It was on that day in Paris as effectively,” Pollard added.
“We simply must be extra composed and get one thing out of each 22 entry. There received’t be many. I feel it’s going to be few for each groups. So everytime you get that shot, you want to be medical.”
Picture: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Photographs
