Handre Pollard Proud As Springboks Dig Deep To Beat Wallabies In Cape Town

When Handre Pollard walked off the pitch at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night, the scoreboard read 30-22 in favour of the Springboks. But for the veteran flyhalf, it was about more than just the points.

This was a test of resilience, of silencing critics after the heartbreak of Ellis Park a week earlier, and of reminding South Africans that the Boks still carry the fight and the pride of a rugby-mad nation on their shoulders.

A Battle Won, But A War Still On

The victory over the Wallabies wasn’t a spectacle of champagne rugby. Instead, it was an arm-wrestle built on grit, patience and seizing key moments. Pollard’s boot delivered 15 points, while the Boks’ pack set the foundation for a bruising encounter that secured the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate once again.

The Rugby Championship table is now wide open after Argentina shocked New Zealand in Buenos Aires. South Africa sits third on four points, level with Argentina, but still trailing the Wallabies and All Blacks. With trips to Auckland and Wellington looming, the margins are razor-thin.

Pollard Hits 800, But Keeps It Humble

Saturday also marked a personal milestone for Pollard, who became only the second Springbok to cross the 800-point mark in Test rugby. But when asked about it, the 31-year-old brushed it aside with typical modesty.

“The win was the only thing we needed,” he said. “A lot of guys played very well, so although I got the award, it was mainly about getting the result.”

That team-first mentality is a big part of why Pollard remains central to the Boks’ identity. For him, representing South Africa has always been about privilege, not personal accolades.

Dealing With The Noise

Much of the week had been dominated by negative chatter after the Ellis Park defeat. Pollard was philosophical about it, pointing out that South Africans’ passion cuts both ways.

“People care about the Springboks and that’s something we always have to remember. They are allowed to be disappointed when we lose and excited when we win,” he said.

That public reaction, whether on social media or in conversations across braais and pubs, is part of the unique pressure of being a Springbok. It’s not just a rugby team it’s a national institution.

Eyes On New Zealand

The Boks leave for New Zealand this week, where they’ll face the All Blacks at Eden Park on 6 September and at Wellington’s Sky Stadium a week later. The squad announcement from Rassie Erasmus is expected soon, with fitness assessments to dictate which players will make the cut.

History tells us Eden Park is a fortress for the All Blacks, but Pollard’s men know South Africa has a knack for upsetting the odds when it matters most.

The Bigger Picture

For Pollard, now a decade into his Test career, the joy of wearing the green and gold hasn’t dimmed. If anything, it has deepened with age.

“The older one gets, you appreciate it even more because the end is getting closer,” he admitted.

And perhaps that’s why Saturday’s grind in Cape Town mattered so much. It wasn’t just two log points and a piece of silverware. It was a reminder of the Springboks’ role as a symbol of resilience, carrying the weight of a nation that demands fight, belief and pride.

Source: SABC Sport 

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