South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard says his return to international rugby at the World Cup will be “a big jump” that will not be “perfect”.
Pollard, 29, who was a late injury replacement to the squad, will start his first game since May against Tonga.
The fly-half has only played 30 minutes for Leicester Tigers on 15 September since sustaining a calf injury.
“My expectations for myself are just going to be to express myself and enjoy it,” Pollard said.
“It was a calf injury that should have only been about four weeks [on the sidelines], but ended up being almost three months.
“It was a very frustrating time but that’s the body, that’s how it works. We tried our best to be fit as soon as possible but it didn’t work out.”
Pollard, who kicked 22 points in the final against England to help the Springboks win the 2019 World Cup, replaced injured hooker Malcolm Marx in South Africa’s squad having been left out of the original 33-man party.
bbc
Kick off coming up soon.
SA 0/3 Tonga penalty 3rd min
Hi Bully… 🙂
Blue Bird wrote:
Hello Blue Bird
SA 14/3 Tonga 27th minute
Tonga have been dominating territory and possession but the Boks making more of their chances
Tonga giving away quite a lot of penalties in their 22 and ref warns them so let’s see if next one goes…
Fourie scores after a maul takes him over the line
SA 21/3 Tonga converted by Pollard who has been kicking well
No access to a screen, how’s it going now?
Mapimpi went off looking very groggy after a head on head collision that only cost Tonga a penalty
Blue Bird wrote:
SA 21/3 Tonga 36th min. Boks have 3 tries
Tongs penalty get good touch to get line out 6m out
Try Tonga strong build up play eventually over by their 150kg tight head prop
SA 21/8 Tonga as conversion missed
Half time still 21/8 as Tonga repel a strong Bok attack and then kick the ball out. Not the most convincing Half by SA and concerned about Mapimpi’s injury
2 mins into 2nd half
HIA for Ox Nche and Kitshoff on in hid place. Scrappy play ends with Tonga scrum close to their try line
Reinach too eager and gives away penalty
Nyakane on for Koch same time Kitshoff came on
Penalty to SA at the break down and Pollard puts it out just inside Tonga 22
Boks 5m out
Try Jesse Kriel!
SA 28/8 Tonga Pollard converts then is replaced by Libbok 51st min
Hendrikse and Willemse on as well
Etzebeth is shoved and Piutau falls onto Etzebeth they are looking at it in the end ref is talked out of yellow card so only penalty
Good decision
Tonga close
Try near right hand corner for Tonga
Boks defence eventually breachef
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