‘Pollard key for Boks at World Cup’

Heyneke Meyer believes Handré Pollard could play an important role for the Springboks at next year's World Cup.

The 20-year-old will face the biggest test of his career when he starts at flyhalf against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday. Pollard has replaced Morné Steyn, who failed to find touch with a late penalty against the Wallabies, allowing them to score a match-winning try.

After captaining the Junior Boks during the Junior World Championship in June, Pollard made his Test debut against Scotland, and then started both Rugby Championship matches against Argentina. He was not in the Boks' match 23 in Perth. 

'I have a lot of confidence in Handré and I want to see what he can do at the highest level,' Meyer told reporters. 'He's a guy who I believe could play in the World Cup and play a huge part in the World Cup.

'He's a different type of player, but you have to do something different if you want to beat New Zealand.

'We want to evolve and play some attractive rugby, so hopefully it's a dry field and we can play some attacking rugby.'

Pollard will stand opposite Aaron Cruden, who has recovered from a chest injury to regain the All Blacks No 10 jersey.

Photo: Barry Aldworth/BackpagePix

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