Kolisi thrilled to have Pollard back for Boks: ‘He is a general’

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is thrilled to have flyhalf general Handre Pollard back in the team as they target a big bonus point win over Tonga in their final Rugby World Cup pool match at the Stade de Marseille on Sunday night (kick-off 9pm).

Pollard was brought back into the squad as an injury replacement for Malcolm Marx, and after missing out on selection for the match 23 for their loss against Ireland, is back in the starting line-up to face Tonga.

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Goal kicking has been a major issue for the Boks this season and Pollard will be under pressure to produce the goods, but Kolisi says the plan is to ease that burden on him and let him enjoy the match.

“I’m looking forward to playing with Handre. I’ve never been shy about how much I enjoyed working with him. He is experienced and he has got a strong personality,” said Kolisi.

“He is a general, he is a 10 and I’m looking forward to talking to him again and also the decisions we make on the field, the communication, it’s going to be good.

“Most importantly, we all as a team want him to not play under pressure, and enjoy himself.  But it’s a big game he has been trusted with. This game is so important. He can step up for a game like this and it’s good to see him back in the team.”

Fifty up

Kolisi will be captaining the side for the 50^th time in the match and he admits that he would also like to enjoy the game while giving it his absolute all for as long as possible as the Boks look to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for the competition knockouts.

“I enjoy everything about playing rugby. Smashing someone, being smashed by someone and telling them, ‘I’m going to get you back’. Working as a team too and also when I’m struggling somewhere I don’t worry about it as I know someone will have my back,” said Kolisi.

“I give my best at all times and that’s how we play. That’s the commitment we have for one another. Give everything you can … captain, not captain, after 20 minutes you can be taken off because you have absolutely left everything on the field.

“We know it’s not just us on the field, it’s the people back home. It’s tough, you have to be brave. You have to have courage to do that but it’s also nice as it’s something we love.”