Why Handré Pollard Was Left Out of the Springboks Team
- The Springboks squad to play the second round of the Rugby Championship in Wellington is a new, revamped group
- Key players such as Handré Pollard, Eben Etzebeth, Jesse Kriel, and Damian de Allende will not feature in this match
- Ethan Hooker, Canan Moodie, and Sacha-Feinberg MngomeZulu will start for the Springboks in Wellington
The Springboks will face the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday, 13 September 2025. After losing the first round 17-24 at Eden Park, head coach Rassie Erasmus named a revamped squad for the rematch.
Key players, including Pollard, Etzebeth, Kriel, and Damian de Allende, have been omitted from the squad.
A win in Wellington is crucial for the Springboks to stay in contention for the Rugby Championship title following their Auckland defeat.
Source: Getty Images
Pollard, one of the Springboks’ key players, has been rested rather than dropped. Erasmus confirmed that the players are still part of the squad but will sit out to allow rotation and give other players Test experience.
This approach allows Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu to start in the Springboks’ number 10 jersey, a significant moment in his career.
Take a look at Pollard's stats below
Hooker and Moodie get starting roles
Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie have been handed rare starting opportunities. Hooker will make his Test debut, replacing Kurt-Lee Arendse, and will start alongside veteran Makazole Mapimpi, reflecting the coaching staff’s confidence in him. Moodie steps in for Kriel, who captained the Springboks in previous Tests, including last week’s loss in Auckland.
These starts give both Hooker and Moodie a chance to prove themselves and stake a claim for future selection while testing their skills at the highest level of international rugby.
Source: Original
Springboks and All Blacks Starting XV
Springboks Starting XV:
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Andre Esterhuizen
All Blacks Starting XV:
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Finlay Christie, Quinn Tupaea, Ruben Love
Watch the video below:
Siya Kolisi will play his 96th Test match, taking him just four matches shy of becoming the ninth Springbok centurion. Jasper Wiese returns after a four-match suspension, last featuring in the 45-0 victory over Italy in Gqeberha.
The Springboks hold a historic record of 42 wins in 109 encounters against New Zealand, with their last Sky Stadium clash in 2019 ending in a 16-16 draw.
Malcolm Marx takes responsibility as Springboks struggle with lineouts
Briefly News previously reported South African hooker Malcolm Marx openly acknowledged that the Springboks need to improve their lineout performance in the Rugby Championship.
The No. 2 scored a try in last Saturday’s narrow 24-17 defeat to the All Blacks in Auckland, but the Boks’ set-piece issues continued to haunt them.
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Source: Briefly News
