Springboks v Wallabies: Handre Pollard ‘looks rusty’ as South Africa weigh up mass change

SOUTH Africa want Handre Pollard to face the Wallabies in Bloemfontein. But significant concerns have been raised about the star five-eighth’s fitness.

Handre Pollard is being tipped to face the Wallabies this weekend.

HE’S being tipped as one of the more likely changes for the Springboks in the wake of their 57-0 drubbing by New Zealand.

But doubt has been raised in South Africa about whether five-eighth Handre Pollard is ready to start against the Wallabies, with Bulls coach John Mitchell declaring the no.10 to be short of a gallop.

Pollard, who was a dominant figure for the Boks in his debut year in 2014, has battled injury this year but returned for South Africa off the bench in the All Black thrashing in Albany.

There is speculation Pollard will return to stiffen up the Boks’ backline defence, replacing Elton Jantjes.

But that potential plan took an unusual twist last week when Pollard was one of several Boks squad members to return to their Currie Cup teams at the weekend, including centre Damian De Allende.

Handre Pollard is being tipped to face the Wallabies this weekend.

But Mitchell, the former All Blacks and Western Force mentor, initially refused to pick Pollard, even on his bench. Only a late illness saw the Boks contender win a place on the pine, and he failed to make any impact in 30 minutes for the Bulls in their loss to the Sharks on Saturday.

Mitchell wouldn’t be drawn on the quality of Pollard’s effort but suggested he was not in peak shape - which brings into major doubt whether he’d be up for Test rugby in five days in Bloemfontein.

“It would be a bit unfair to judge after giving him 30 minutes of rugby,” Mitchell said.

“He’s had probably four training sessions with us. He’s looking lean‚ he’s a bit rusty. He needs more time.”

De Allende played 80 minutes for the Stormers but the Boks are relatively well served in the midfield, with Jan Serfontein and Jaco Kriel already starting.

The one man who is sure to get punted by Boks coaches is winger Raymond Rhule. He made eight tackles against the All Blacks but missed a shocking nine.