Rugby Union – Rugby World Cup 2023 – Semi Last – England v South Africa – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – October 21, 2023 South Africa’s Handre Pollard scores a penalty kick REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Purchase Licensing Rights
PARIS, Oct 21 (Reuters) – An harm to hooker Malcolm Marx early within the Rugby World Cup threatened a serious blow to South Africa’s hopes of retaining the title however the alternative to name up Handre Pollard was a big gamble that paid off handsomely in Saturday’s semi-final.
The 29-year-old kicked the successful penalty because the Springboks inched previous England with a come-from-behind 16-15 victory to arrange a remaining in opposition to New Zealand on the Stade de France.
Pollard, who kicked South Africa to the title on the final World Cup in Japan, was disregarded of the unique 33-man squad after failing to show his health.
However Marx’s harm allowed the Springboks to draft him in, playing on his restoration and admitting concern over the kicking of his substitute Manie Libbok.
Pollard acquired a run within the pool sport in opposition to Tonga to show his health and was on for the second half of the one-point win over France in final weekend’s quarter-final.
Within the semi-final, with Libbok struggling along with his kicking, coach Jacques Nienaber took a calculated danger and introduced him on after 31 minutes.
“We would have liked some power and that is why we determined to carry on the bench early,” the Springbok coach mentioned.
Pollard put over a penalty on after approaching as England had been 12-6 up and the break and transformed RG Snyman’s 69th-minute attempt to cut back the deficit to 2 factors.
When South Africa gained a scrum penalty two metres contained in the England half with two minutes to go, the stage was set for Pollard.
He booted the ball over with aplomb handy his aspect the narrowest of victories.
“Firstly the scrum penalty, that’s what acquired us the chance,” mentioned Pollard.
“It was only a credit score to them, they had been unbelievable, It was an enormous second however it’s what you need as a participant on this stage, to have moments like that as a fly-half is what you reside for. It was enjoyable.”
Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi mentioned he had little question it could go over. “He’s accomplished it for us earlier than,” Kolisi mentioned on the post-match press convention
Pollard has had a topsy-turvy time since his heroics within the World Cup remaining 4 years in the past, kicking over six penalties and two conversions for a 22-point whole within the 32-12 win over England in Yokohama.
“It’s been an attention-grabbing 4 years because the final World Cup, with loads of highs and lows with COVID-19, accidents once I was in France after which an harm earlier than the Premiership semi-final with Leicester this 12 months.
“After which once more loads of ups and downs in the previous few months, not being chosen then coming again however that’s all previously.”
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