'Handre Pollard is not Superman' insists Rassie but Boks to consider kicking options

South Africa left some crucial points on the table against Ireland. 

WATCHING BRIEF: South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus during the warm up. Picture: INPHO/Dave Winter

South Africa director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus has indicated that the Boks will consider their goal-kicking options in the wake of their defeat to Ireland in Paris on Saturday night. 

The Springboks were defeated 13-8 by Andy Farrell's side in a thrilling Pool B clash.

Kickers Manie Libbok and Faf de Klerk collectively missed 11 points from the tee for the world champions, with the former off target with a penalty and a conversion and the latter missing two penalties.

“When number one in the world plays number two, the game is going to be decided by a margin of one of two or three points played in a really intense Test match atmosphere,” Erasmus said, “and I don’t think they converted more chances than we did – they just kicked two more penalties than us.

“A good team like Ireland, New Zealand or France are going to keep you out – like we did to Ireland – so converting chances is not easy. They scored one try and we scored one try; it was clear that our problem was that we didn’t convert our goal kicks.” 

The former Munster boss, however, said it would be unfair to expect miracles from recalled flyhalf Handre Pollard.

Pollard was called into the squad last week following injury to hooker Malcolm Marx.

“Everyone must keep it in perspective,” said Erasmus. “Handre Pollard is not Superman and can’t come back as fully ready after playing only 30 minutes of rugby since his injury.

“He can’t just come onto the field to kick goals, he must also be able to sidestep, hand-off, make tackles, clean out at the ruck and that’s obviously not the case now because he has only had a full week’s training with us.

“That’s why he wasn’t up for selection for the squad in the first place, but he is definitely up for selection this week.

“Let’s give Handre a chance to find his rhythm and see how he does with the other stuff. Tonga will be a great yardstick to see how he goes.”

Meanwhile, Erasmus said he was happy with the play of Manie Libbok, the Boks’ first choice flyhalf and goalkicker.

“Manie is definitely playing brilliant flyhalf rugby at this stage but obviously his goalkicking isn’t matching that,” said Erasmus.

“If you weigh up the different things he does, he makes a great contribution to the team, but he is in a bit of a dip with his goalkicking – he knows it, we know it and the world knows it.”