Handré Pollard begins at 10 against Tonga on Sunday in Marseille after being recalled to the South African team as a result of Malcolm Marx’s Rugby World Cup-ending injury. This is the first Springbok cap for Pollard since August 2022.
After the Springboks’ 13-8 loss to Ireland, there have been 12 personnel changes made to the starting lineup. Only second-row Eben Etzebeth, captain Siya Kolisi, who is leading the Springboks for the 50th time, and number eight Jasper Wiese have kept their positions in the pack, while the entire backline has been altered.
For the first time since November 2018 against France and for the third time in his 72-cap career, Duane Vermeulen, a number eight by trade, starts at openside.
Following Vaea Fifita’s four-game suspension, Semisi Paea fills in at number eight for Tonga in a starting XV that features three changes from the one that lost to Scotland the last time around as coach Toutai Kefu looks for the ideal combinations to unleash his team’s attacking ability. Anzelo Tuitavuki, making his Rugby World Cup debut on the left, and Fine Inisi, starting on the right, are the other two changes he’s made.
FIXTURE: South Africa v Tonga
GROUND: Stade de Marseille (67,847)
KICK-OFF: 21:00 local time (GMT+2)
FIXTURE HISTORY
The first match between the two nations, at Newlands in 1997, ended 74-10 in South Africa’s favour. The second match, at Rugby World Cup 2007, was nearly very different.
MEMORABLE MATCH
South Africa fans will recall Rugby World Cup 2007 in France, with fondness. They beat England twice – in the pool phase and again in the final – as they won the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time.
But a week after celebrating their 36-0 Pool A win over the English, a much-changed Springboks side – but one that still featured John Smit, Victor Matfield, Juan Smith, Bryan Habana, Frans Steyn and Percy Montgomery on the bench – nearly slipped on a banana-skin match against Tonga in Lens.
The final score records the result as a 30-25 win for South Africa. It doesn’t mention that Tonga were within a caught crossfield kick of scoring what could have been the match-winning try when a young Wayne Barnes signalled the end of the match.
KEY TALKING POINT
The return of Pollard, who comes into this Rugby World Cup match off the back of 30 minutes gametime with his English club side Leicester in a Premiership Cup match a couple of weeks ago. While he’s likely to have a positive impact on South Africa’s success off the kicking tee, how much will it affect a back line that has been very well-orchestrated by Manie Libbok? And how much of a gamble is that lack of action?
PLAYER HEAD-TO-HEAD
Deon Fourie v Paula Ngauamo. Fourie – South Africa’s oldest test debutant when he came on as a replacement against Wales in Bloemfontein in July 2022, a couple of months shy of his 36th birthday – will make his first test start at hooker in Marseille, at the age of 37, against the experienced Tongan.
STATS-AMAZING
South Africa are the only team to have conceded fewer than 20 points in this year’s Rugby World Cup, having shipped just 16 from three matches, 13 of which came against Ireland. Tonga, with 104 points from two matches, are one of four sides to have conceded more than 100 in the competition. The others are Chile, Namibia and, another Pool B side, Romania.
REF WATCH
Luke Pearce (England). One of the strictest enforcers of the offside rule at Rugby World Cup, Pearce has blown for nine offside offences in his two matches at the tournament to date. Only Karl Dickson (10) has penalised more.
TEAMS
SOUTH AFRICA
Willie Le Roux; Canan Moodie, Ox Nche, Deon Fourie, Vincent Koch; Eben Etzebeth, Marvin Orie; Siya Kolisi (captain), Duane Vermeulen, and Jasper Wiese; Grant Williams, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Handré Pollard, and Cobus Reinach;
Replacements: Kwagga Smith, Jaden Hendrikse, Manie Libbok, Jesse Kriel, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Franco Mostert
TONGA Salesi Piutau; Fine Inisi, Malakai Fekitoa, Pita Ahki, Anzelo Tuitavuki; William Havili, Augustine Pulu; Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Paula Ngauamo, Ben Tameifuna (captain); Halaleva Fifita, Sam Lousi; Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Talitui, Semisi Paea
Replacements: Sam Moli, Tau Koloamatangi, Sosefo Apikotoa, Adam Coleman, Sione Vailanu, Sonatane Takulua, Patrick Pellegrini, Afusipa Taumoepeau
