Joel Stransky ‘a little concerned’ with Rassie Erasmus’ Handre Pollard selection as ‘message’ sent for All Blacks rematch
Springboks fly-halves Handre Pollard and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Springboks hero Joel Stransky believes that the decision to select Handre Pollard has shown that Rassie Erasmus is doubling down on his game plan.
South Africa take on New Zealand in the second of four Tests this weekend where they will look to level the series after going down 33-16 at Ellis Park.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who is a sublime attacking player, started that match, but he struggled and failed to control the game.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu dropped
Pollard has replaced him for Saturday’s encounter in Cape Town with Feinberg-Mngomezulu dropping down to the bench.
A double Rugby World Cup winner, the 32-year-old is renowned for his composure and kicking ability, both out of hand and off the tee.
It may therefore suit the Boks better, who looked to dominate the All Blacks physically in the first Test by winning scrum and maul penalties, while they often went to the boot early instead of moving it through the hands.
“Handre brings maturity and stability, and an ability to close the game off, and to read it well and to make the right decisions at the right time,” Stransky told Sport Nation.
“He’s got a wealth of experience, wealth of knowledge, he’s bigger and stronger if he attacks the gain line, or he’s forced to attack the gain line – he will probably be a little more adept there.
“Most importantly, it’s that maturity and ability to close the game. For me, I think there’s a bit of a message in that saying we might just go back to what we used to do best and maybe not the running game.”
Better suited for Boks game plan?
While Stransky understands the qualities Pollard will bring to the game this weekend, he is torn as to whether it is actually a positive move for the Springboks.
It suggests that Erasmus’ side will be even more conservative on Saturday but, on the flip side, it could well suit the conditions.
“It is a little concerning because when he plays 10, I don’t think we move the ball around, we don’t have the attacking weapons; the second and third waves, out the back door,” Stransky said.
“We don’t use the width of the field as well, so for me it might be a little bit predictable but, if it comes off and the scrum is good, and we’re physical and we’re hard.
“We need to control territory and we need to kick our goals because at 19-16 down [in the first Test], we had a penalty smack in front, we should have kicked the damn thing over.
“I think we’ll maybe kick our goals, particularly in Cape Town if it’s a little damp and maybe a bit of rain around, and he’ll bring that stability and consistency which maybe we lacked last weekend.”