Rassie Erasmus Confirms Handre Pollard's Return Date for Springboks vs Wallabies

• Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus revealed when veteran flyhalf Handre Pollard will be available again after a calf strain ruled him out of the All Blacks series
• Franco Mostert, who was injured in the Springboks' season opener against the Barbarians, is also set to return for the same fixture
• The Springboks face the All Blacks in Baltimore this Saturday in a decisive RGR Trophy clash that could hand South Africa the series title

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that flyhalf Handré Pollard is on track to return for South Africa's one-off Test against the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday, 26 September.

Pollard, 32, was named in the starting line-up for the second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town earlier this season, but suffered a calf strain in training, keeping him sidelined for the remainder of that series. Despite featuring in only seven Tests over the past two years, the experienced flyhalf remains a valued member of the squad for his leadership and goal-kicking reliability.

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Lock Franco Mostert is also expected to be available for the Perth fixture after recovering from an injury sustained during the season-opening clash against the Barbarians. Erasmus is anticipated to name a largely new-look side for the Australia match.

Springboks eye RGR trophy in Baltimore

Before the Wallabies fixture, however, all attention within the camp is fixed on this Saturday's fourth and potentially decisive RGR Trophy Test against the All Blacks in Baltimore, with kick-off set for 23:00 South African time. The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

South Africa currently lead the series two matches to one. A win or draw on Saturday would be enough to clinch the trophy outright, while a New Zealand victory would result in the title being shared.

Jasper Wiese on playing in the USA

Flanker Jasper Wiese acknowledged the weight of the occasion, noting that the last time the All Blacks toured on South African soil was in 1996, a series New Zealand won.

The squad held their first field training session in Baltimore on Tuesday, following a day of recovery and tactical review on Monday after both last weekend's match and the lengthy transatlantic travel.

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Wiese also reflected on the novelty of playing in the United States, describing it as "an amazing experience" and expressing hope that the match would serve as a strong showcase for rugby in a country where the sport is still developing its following.

Source: Briefly News