Flyhalf Handre Pollard believes the Springboks’ growth lies in expanding their attacking game, an area he’s excited to develop under the guidance of Kiwi coach Tony Brown.
“Our game was mainly based on defence, physical intensity, and kicking, with exciting fullbacks. However, Tony Brown is unlocking something in our game,” Pollard, who starts at 10 for the Boks against Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday, told Rapport.
While South Africa has traditionally focused on physicality, Pollard sees the next evolution in creative attack. “It’s going to take time, and we’ll get better at it. But the growth lies in my opinion on the attack,” the two-time World Cup winner said.
“We want to show that we have the skills to do more.”
Pollard added that the Boks aim to be unpredictable: “Sometimes we will do more of it and other times less. But that’s where we want to grow… because we have very skilled forwards and backs.”
Pollard also spoke about the importance of players supporting each other’s strengths. “It’s a very important thing in this team, the trust to help each other,” he noted, adding that he avoids trying to replicate his teammates’ unique skills.
“Listen, I’m not going to try to kick crosses without looking! I don’t have that kind of skills. If there are things about my game that I can pass on to Manie [Libbok], I do so with pleasure.”
Pollard enjoys watching young players like Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu bring fresh perspectives. “These guys grew up in a different era… it keeps us on our toes and makes things fun.”
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