Overview
- Reports from local outlets say flyhalf Handre Pollard has been pulled with a calf injury and will not take the starting No.10 jersey for the Springboks in Cape Town.
- South Africa must win the second Test to keep its four‑match series hopes alive after losing the opener to the All Blacks, which raises the stakes for any late change.
- Coaches are weighing three main options if Pollard is unavailable: promote Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu to start, start Manie Libbok, or shift Damian Willemse to flyhalf and bring Aphelele Fassi to fullback.
- The Springboks had not issued an official confirmation at the time of reporting and were expected to announce a final decision or hold a last‑minute fitness deadline for Pollard.
- The selection dilemma is compounded by Pollard’s recent hamstring absence in July and a separate fitness question over captain Siya Kolisi, which together could alter bench use and early match tactics.