Handre Pollard is the random element the Springboks hope can unhinge the All Blacks.
The 20-year-old five-eighth has pushed aside veteran pivot Morne Steyn in what coach Heyneke Meyer is describing as a sea change selection for Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test in Wellington.
It is the only change from the side who lost 24-23 to Australia in Perth last week but a significant one as Meyer steers his team down a more attacking path.
“With Morne, we know we’ve got a great kicking fly-half but I’ve always said we want to move on with the way we play,” Meyer said.
“I truly believe Handre can be a world class 10. You have to back him.”
Pollard is regarded as a rising star of South African rugby, having shone as skipper of the South African team pipped by England in the final of the recent world junior championships in New Zealand.
He made his Super Rugby debut for the Bulls this year and his first of three Tests came against Scotland in June.
After starting in both narrow wins over Argentina last month he was dropped for Steyn in Perth, where the 30-year-old made some crucial mistakes.
Meyer backs Pollard’s level head and, more to the point, his confidence heading into what he describes as the ultimate challenge in world rugby.
“I don’t think you’re going to beat the All Blacks, especially away from home, if you just do the conventional,” Meyer said.
“Before the World Cup I have to expose him. He could be a big force. He’s big and strong, a brilliant defender with a good kicking game and he’s an unbelievable attacking player.
“I believe if you don’t do it now, you’re never going to know.”
Captain and second five-eighth Jean de Villiers, who is playing his 100th Test, will start outside Pollard and inside 21-year-old centre Jan Serfontein.
Meyer says Pollard and Serfontein are on steep learning curves due the absence of injured backline veterans such as Francois Steyn, Jaque Fourie and JP Pietersen.
“That’s probably been one of the worries in this team. The forwards are settled but we’re struggling to get continuity in the backs.
“We’re building a nice second tier of youngsters which is going to come through.”
Meyer persisted with his tactic of naming world class hooker Bismarck du Plessis on the reserves bench while 37-year-old lock Victor Matfield is at the heart of an impressive pack.
Springboks: Willie le Roux, Cornal Hendricks, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana, Handre Pollard, Ruan Pienaar, Duane Vermeulen, Marcell Coetzee, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Bismarck du Plessis, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Lood de Jager, Warren Whiteley, Francois Hougaard, Pat Lambie, Damian de Allende.
