South Africa have made a late change at fly-half for the second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town, replacing the experienced Handré Pollard with the more adventurous Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. The switch, announced on Friday, comes after Pollard reportedly picked up a niggle in training on Wednesday and failed a fitness test 24 hours before the match.
The Springboks head into the match at Newlands needing a win to level the two-Test series after a 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park last week. Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 24, struggled in that loss and also on his comeback from injury against Argentina earlier this month, but his skill set has long marked him out as a future global star.
Pollard's reliability vs Feinberg-Mngomezulu's creativity
Pollard is experienced and reliable from the tee, and as coach Rassie Erasmus said this week, has delivered “under extreme pressure” time and again for the Springboks. His nerveless goal-kicking guided them to the 2023 World Cup title. With wet conditions forecast, South Africa's initial approach seemed clear: a narrow, set-piece-heavy gameplan built around Pollard's steadiness.
Erasmus had reflected on his side's game management in the first Test, saying, “we made a lot of stupid calls. Three points is two less than five [for a try]. Handré is a guy that has always done it for us.” The introduction of Feinberg-Mngomezulu changes that approach, while the return of Cheslin Kolbe, who replaces Kurt-Lee Arendse in the starting XV, is significant because he will assume goalkicking duties.
Misdirection or genuine injury?
The timing of the change has sparked speculation on social media that this could be a classic piece of misdirection from Erasmus, a plan all along. His previous tactical gambits fuel that fire, as does the convenience of recalling Kolbe to kick at goal. But Pollard's selection did make sense, especially given his history of stepping up in big moments.
In the 2023 World Cup semi-final against England, Erasmus hooked Manie Libbok after just half an hour, sending on Pollard to steer the Boks home. As 1995 World Cup-winning captain Joel Stransky said, “Handré brings maturity and stability, and an ability to close the game off. 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.”
All Blacks brace for Bok-lash
New Zealand have clearly been preparing to face Pollard and the type of gameplan he would carry out, and will now have to adapt on the hoof. The All Blacks are walking tall after ending South Africa's run of 12 straight victories, and they know the scrum contest will be pivotal in Cape Town. South Africa's profligacy in the New Zealand 22 last week allowed the All Blacks to run out comfortable winners despite conceding six scrum penalties.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has already flagged concerns over South African scrum tactics, saying, “Scrum-wise, we’ve spoken with World Rugby around a couple of issues from our point of view, and so we think – scrum-wise – we’ll be a lot better. That was massive for them last week. We think if they’re forced to scrum square and not allowed to step sidewards and walk around us, then we’ll be able to stay in front and we’ll be able to get the footie going off that.”
With rain expected, the close-quarters battle is set to be the most significant aspect of the match on Saturday. Having lost 43-10 in Wellington last year, a week after edging home in Auckland, the All Blacks know the Bok-lash is coming.
