As the one of the main heroes of the Springboks in the last two Rugby World Cup triumphs, one would understand if flyhalf Handre Pollard feels entitled to start every Test match.
But the 75-cap Test veteran has had to take a bit of back seat this year to give the rising star of South African rugby Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu a chance to get a taste of Test rugby, while Manie Libbok is also still in the picture.
But Pollard has handled the situation with grace and like a true professional. In fact, he is also playing a mentorship role in the team and sharing his vast experience with his fellow pivots.
Pollard was in the same boat as Feinberg-Mngomezulu more than a decade ago, when he was viewed as a generational talent coming through the ranks.
He won the 2012 U20 World Cup with the Junior Springboks while still in the school benches at Paarl Gymnasium, before making his Springbok debut as a 20-year-old against Scotland two years later.
With Eben Etzebeth set to equal Victor Matfield's record of 127 Springbok caps, Handre Pollard pays his respects to one of the greats 👏 pic.twitter.com/gLWzRSgiE1
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 18, 2024
“I’m not that old man!” the 30-year-old Pollard said when quizzed about his mentorship role and helping the young guns in the team.
“But it’s fun, these guys are so exciting. They are eager to learn, which is nice. Just like guys helped us when we were young.
“The good thing is that there is healthy competition in the group. But we all have the same goal and it’s bigger than the individual.
“If we can help the young guys with a few things, great. We are learning from them as well. You have to always develop as a player.”
Pollard, however, is still coach Rassie Erasmus’ go-to man when it comes to the crunch matches that need controlling and a bit of structure.
Pollard starts on Saturday when the Springboks take on an Argentina team that is as unpredictable as they come. This Los Pumas team like playing off turnover ball and enjoy it when the game is loose, which was the case in the second half of their previous match against Australia when they ran riot.
💬 Handre Pollard unpacks what is different with this Rugby World Cup cycle for a Springboks side that "always wants more". #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/OOXfmSjDQV
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) September 18, 2024
“Handre is starting at No 10 because we believe we need control against Argentina,” Erasmus said this week.
Pollard is looking forward to the match, which will be played in front of a hostile crowd in Santiago del Estero.
“I’m really looking forward to the match. It’s a big challenge. Argentina are always really physical and and it’s tough,” Pollard said.
“It’s a game where you can judge a guy’s character. It’s a big challenge, but we can’t wait to face it.”
@JohnGoliath82