Springboks

Bok flyhalf: What happens if Pollard goes down?

2018-06-14 14:29

Cape Town - One of the biggest talking points after the Springbok team announcement for the second Test against England on Saturday was the exclusion of Elton Jantjies

While Jantjies played for just a couple of minutes in last weekend's 42-39 win at Ellis Park as the flyhalf cover off the bench. 

Without him, the Boks go into Bloemfontein with no specialist No 10 cover and should something happen to Handre Pollard during the match, coach Rassie Erasmus will have to turn to an untested playmaker at Test level. 

In addition to open play, place kicking would also be a concern should Pollard have to leave the field early for whatever reason. 

After his team announcement on Thursday, Erasmus explained that his decision to include Kriel on the bench had come from a desire to have more pace late in the game while he was able to cover centre, fullback and wing.

Erasmus confirmed that, should Pollard go off, fullback Willie le Roux would move into the flyhalf channel. 

Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, meanwhile, would be expected to take over the goal kicking duties having done so at times this year for Sale Sharks. 

De Klerk could also, if there was an emergency, play at No 10. 

Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:05.

Teams:

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 S'bu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Warrick Gelant

England

15 Elliot Daly, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Mike Brown, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola

Substitutes: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Mark Wilson, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Denny Solomona

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Fixtures
Saturday, 09 June 2018
Japan v Italy, Oita Bank Stadium 07:45
New Zealand v France, Eden Park 09:35
Australia v Ireland, Suncorp Stadium 12:00
South Africa v England, Emirates Airline Park 17:05
Argentina v Wales, Estadio Bicentenario 21:40
Sunday, 10 June 2018
Canada v Scotland, Commonwealth Stadium 03:10
Saturday, 16 June 2018
Japan v Italy, NOEVIR Stadium Kobe 07:00
New Zealand v France, Westpac Stadium 09:35
Australia v Ireland, AAMI Park 12:00
South Africa v England, Toyota Stadium 17:05
Argentina v Wales, Estadio Brigadier Estanislao López 21:40
Sunday, 17 June 2018
USA v Scotland, BBVA Compass Stadium 02:00
Saturday, 23 June 2018
New Zealand v France, Forsyth Barr Stadium 09:35
Australia v Ireland, Allianz Stadium 12:00
South Africa v England, Cape Town 17:05
Argentina v Scotland, Estadio Centenario 21:40
Saturday, 18 August 2018
South Africa v Argentina, Jonsson Kings Park Stadium 17:05
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