Even though the Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber would not admit it, there are worries in the World Cup squad about the lack of a kicker with the absence of Handre Pollard.
Besides the goalkicking headache, Pollard, Lukhanyo Am and Lood de Jager have been placed on standby with six other players. Am has a niggling knee injury and De Jager is suffering from chest problems that Nienaber refused to discuss with the media at the squad announcement press conference on Tuesday.
The Springboks have done very well without Pollard previously but his kicking ability and presence on the field gives a little comfort to Nienaber soldiers during battles. So, his injury is a big blow for the South Africans who are going on a big mission to defend the World Cup trophy they won in Japan, in France this time around.
Said Nienaber about their goal-kicking issue: “I don’t think there is ever a guy who goes out to kick poorly. Maybe to reference the end of year tour when we played Ireland, we missed a couple of points off the tee, but when we went to France we used three kickers and kicked seven out of seven.
“They train as hard as they can and they are kicking well in training. I must say in Argentina, I thought it was massive for Manie – we did discuss with him if he wants to give the kicking duties over at halftime to Damian. He said no, he’s fine and I thought he came back strong, that just shows his mental strength and attitude.”
About the injured players, the Springbok coaches were hopeful that they may return to full training before the start of the tournament and be available for call-up in the event of injury.
Also returning from the 2019 team are Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch (props), Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx (hookers), RG Snyman (lock), Kwagga Smith, (loose forward), Franco Mostert (utility forward), Faf de Klerk and Cobus Reinach (scrumhalves), Damian Willemse (utility back), Cheslin Kolbe and Makazole Mapimpi (wings).
Making their first appearance at a Rugby World Cup are Ox Nche (prop), Jean Kleyn and Marvin Orie (locks), Marco van Staden and Jasper Wiese (loose forwards), Deon Fourie (utility forward), Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams (scrumhalves), Manie Libbok (flyhalf), Andre Esterhuizen (centre), Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie (outside backs).
“If anything happens, Faf will probably move into the 10 position – we also have Cheslin who played 10 for Toulon. So, we’ve got a couple of third choice options there and that is why we went with 4 scrum-halves,” Nienaber added.
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