The Springboks may have lost the last three Test matches when Handre Pollard started, but former national captain and flyhalf Naas Botha believes he is the man to guide the team’s fortunes at the World Cup.
Pollard started the Test match against Ireland in November last year and played in the first two Rugby Championship Tests against Australia and New Zealand this year and, while they all ended in defeat Botha, believes the Bulls pivot must grow in the position.
“He’s a very young flyhalf,” Botha reminded.
“Actually, lets forget about the fact that he is young and inexperienced, we must look at the way we are using him.”
Botha has always been a proponent of player empowerment. He contends a player in Pollard’s position must learn on the job. “He must be placed in a position where he can make decisions. A quick example: in our Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane the scrumhalf decided to kick an up-and-under that actually placed the team under pressure. Pollard was perhaps in a better position to make a call. I know some people will argue that sometimes the scrumhalf should take the pressure away from the flyhalf but the flyhalf must also be put in a position to make decisions,” Botha advised.
Pollard’s break out season last year was marked by spectacular peaks but he has struggled to reach the same heights this year. He is however, undoubtedly a player of immense potential.
Botha believes South African rugby is in rude health with its options at first receiver. “We also have Pat Lambie who has acquitted himself really well.”
Problem is Lambie hasn’t played much this season due to a neck injury he suffered in Super Rugby.
Although Lambie already has 42 Tests to his name, just eight Tests have kicked off with him at flyhalf. The Springboks won six of those but he hasn’t been in the starting line-up for the Boks this year.
When he has started at fullback, the Springboks have won 12 from 15 Tests and he may well be included in the World Cup squad as a player earmarked for more duty there.
“I also don’t have a problem with Elton Jantjies who had an excellent Super Rugby season,” Botha continued.
Jantjies played just two Tests as a reserve against Australia and New Zealand respectively in 2012. For now he remains on the outside looking in.
“Then there is Morne Steyn who had a great finish to the season in France,” noted Botha. Steyn played a leading role in getting Stade Francais onto the Top 14 final before landing the winning penalty to seal the championship. He remains an ice in the vein marksman, a trait with which Bok coach Heyneke Meyer is all too familiar.
“He has done well for the Boks in the past,” Botha said of a player who has been on the winning side in 31 of the 50 Tests he has been in the starting line-up.
“I just hope all these guys get a chance to prove themselves. And now I’m talking about getting a chance in the starting line- up.”
Naas punts for Pollard
Pollard started the Test match against Ireland in November last year and played in the first two Rugby Championship Tests against Australia and New Zealand this year and, while they all ended in defeat Botha, believes the Bulls pivot must grow in the position.
“He’s a very young flyhalf,” Botha reminded.
“Actually, lets forget about the fact that he is young and inexperienced, we must look at the way we are using him.”
Botha has always been a proponent of player empowerment. He contends a player in Pollard’s position must learn on the job. “He must be placed in a position where he can make decisions. A quick example: in our Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane the scrumhalf decided to kick an up-and-under that actually placed the team under pressure. Pollard was perhaps in a better position to make a call. I know some people will argue that sometimes the scrumhalf should take the pressure away from the flyhalf but the flyhalf must also be put in a position to make decisions,” Botha advised.
Pollard’s break out season last year was marked by spectacular peaks but he has struggled to reach the same heights this year. He is however, undoubtedly a player of immense potential.
Botha believes South African rugby is in rude health with its options at first receiver. “We also have Pat Lambie who has acquitted himself really well.”
Problem is Lambie hasn’t played much this season due to a neck injury he suffered in Super Rugby.
Although Lambie already has 42 Tests to his name, just eight Tests have kicked off with him at flyhalf. The Springboks won six of those but he hasn’t been in the starting line-up for the Boks this year.
When he has started at fullback, the Springboks have won 12 from 15 Tests and he may well be included in the World Cup squad as a player earmarked for more duty there.
“I also don’t have a problem with Elton Jantjies who had an excellent Super Rugby season,” Botha continued.
Jantjies played just two Tests as a reserve against Australia and New Zealand respectively in 2012. For now he remains on the outside looking in.
“Then there is Morne Steyn who had a great finish to the season in France,” noted Botha. Steyn played a leading role in getting Stade Francais onto the Top 14 final before landing the winning penalty to seal the championship. He remains an ice in the vein marksman, a trait with which Bok coach Heyneke Meyer is all too familiar.
“He has done well for the Boks in the past,” Botha said of a player who has been on the winning side in 31 of the 50 Tests he has been in the starting line-up.
“I just hope all these guys get a chance to prove themselves. And now I’m talking about getting a chance in the starting line- up.”
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