Boks lose influential flyhalf Pollard for Rugby Championship

WORLD CUP DOUBT? South Africa's Handre Pollard.

South Africa flyhalf Handre Pollard will miss the Rugby Championship with a calf injury as director of rugby Rassie Erasmus concedes the loss of his first choice number 10 was a "worry" ahead of the World Cup in France starting in September.

Pollard was instrumental for the Springboks when they were crowned world champions for the third time in Japan four years ago and his absence for their title defence would be a heavy blow.