Mike Greenaway
This week Handre Pollard has an excellent opportunity to make ground on the pretender to his Springbok flyhalf throne, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, when the Boks go for Rugby Championship gold against the Pumas.
If the Boks win in Santiago del Estero, they will clinch their first Championship since 2019, and it will be with World Cup hero Pollard at the helm. Coach Rassie Erasmus gave Feinberg-Mngomezulu an extended run in the position earlier in the Championship but now it is Pollard’s chance to show that he still has it.
Springbok legend Naas Botha says the competition for the No 10 jersey has seldom been so competitive and that the team is the winner.
“I am extremely excited about the No 10s in South Africa,” Botha said. “I think we have got back to rugby sense about decision-making. It has always been about positions eight, nine and 10.
“No 8 and nine have been sorted for some time in terms of depth. At 10 we have had Handre, then Manie (Libbok) took his opportunity but he has realised he has to up his accuracy on goal-kicking not just from a player's point of view but because the laws allow for more penalties.
“Now a number of young guys are coming through,” Botha said, as he referred to Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Siya Masuku, Jordan Hendrikse and Sanele Nohamba.
“Sacha has been phenomenal and I take my hat off to Rassie for saying to the player I will give you an opportunity and if you take it, I will reward you,” Botha said about the consecutive starts given to Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the matches against Australia and the Test against New Zealand in Johannesburg.
“Some coaches give a player an opportunity but even if it is taken they make a change and the player wonders what he did wrong. He thinks, ‘Why make the fuss about giving me a shot, and when I take (it) you don’t compliment me?’
“And Rassie rewarded Sacha,” Botha said.
Botha also said South African rugby is blessed to have a talent coming through at flyhalf.
“If you analyse rugby, No 10 is the position where 90% of the decisions are made — if it is a bad ball, what do you do with it? If it is a good ball, what do you do with that? (All Black flyhalf) Damian McKenzie could not do that. He could not put the Boks under pressure.”
The Boks need three more log points from their next two matches against the Pumas to seal the title for the first time since 2019.
Erasmus said on the eve of their departure for South America: “It doesn’t matter how one looks at it, we don’t want to lose against Argentina and it’s the same for them.
“They must firmly believe they are still in the running for the trophy, so whether we win or they win, both teams will be very hungry.”
The teams will meet again at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on September 28 in the closing match of the tournament, where the winner of the Rugby Championship will be crowned, but the Boks want the matter to be decided before then.
“It’s hostile over there, but we don’t find them to be hostile in terms of fear, but rather passionate fans enjoying supporting their team,” said Erasmus.
“They have a few legends there, and they are a well-coached team that beat the All Blacks and registered the biggest score ever over Australia, so in their hearts we have no doubt they’ll believe they can beat us.
“I think it will come down to who pitches up the best on the day, and which side is the most desperate.”