Following the Springboks 30-22 victory against the Wallabies in Cape Town and Argentina’s shock 29-23 toppling of the All Blacks in Buenos Aires the Rugby Championship has now turned into a wide-open race.
With four rounds to go, and anyone can still claim the crown.
Handré Pollard slotted 15 points with the precision of a master craftsman and walked off as man of the match.
The Bok flyhalf gave the credit to the entire team for fighting their way back while retaining the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate from last week’s heartbreaking defeat.
Two tough Tests against the @wallabies, the focus now shifts to the All Blacks in New Zealand. Thanks for the magnificent support in Joburg and Cape Town and safe travels home to our friends from Australia 🙌#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/V4AHkXTZQX
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 24, 2025
“It was all about the team,” he insisted, brushing aside personal accolades.
“The win was the only thing we needed, and a lot of guys played very well, so although I got the award, it was mainly about getting the result.”
The result itself was worth its weight in green and gold. It not only retained the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate, but also patched over the bruises left by last week’s gut-wrenching loss at Ellis Park.
Pollard admitted the week between the two clashes had tested the squad’s steel:
“It was a tough week for us and rightfully so. We were disappointed with the result last week, so it was challenging to balance the emotions and tactics for the game.
“But we learned a lot from the last game, and we hit the sweet spot toward the end of the week.”
If last week’s defeat felt like fumbling a ball over the tryline, this performance was the Boks regathering possession, setting their scrum, and driving over with irresistible force.
The standings are now tighter than a front-rower’s headgear. The Boks sit on four points, level with Argentina but ahead on points difference, just a step behind Australia and two shy of log leaders New Zealand.
Pollard himself etched another milestone, becoming only the second Springbok to pass 800 Test points. But he spoke like a man still marvelling at the jersey on his back rather than the numbers in the record book.
“For me, it was never about trophies, medals, or awards. It’s about playing for South Africa, and if you play one Test it’s a privilege, or for a few years as I have, it remains unbelievable. The older one gets, you appreciate it even more because the end is getting closer.”
If those words carried the reflective tone of a veteran, they were equally laced with the hunger of a competitor who knows there are still battles to be fought.
“This is such an unbelievable group of men, coaches, and management, you want to be part of it as long as you can, and to do that, you must work hard and play well. We want to win, keep South Africa right up there and make the country proud.”
The humility extended beyond the white lines. Asked about the sharp criticism after Ellis Park, Pollard didn’t bristle; he embraced it:
“People care about the Springboks and that’s something we always have to remember.
“They are allowed to be disappointed when we lose and excited when we win. We understand that responsibility on our shoulders, and we try to get the desired result more often than not.”
For Pollard, the Boks’ heartbeat lies not only in the grizzled veterans but also in the fresh legs running beside them.
“We may have a lot of senior guys in the squad, but several younger players are stepping up as well, and we take lessons from everyone, and that’s what got us over the line this week.”
Now the Boks march on to New Zealand, where the haka awaits them like a stormcloud over Eden Park.
Two Tests against the All Blacks on 6 September in Auckland and 13 September in Wellington will determine whether this victory was a turning point or merely a temporary patch on deeper wounds.
Rassie Erasmus will name his squad in the coming days once the medical staff have tallied up the bruises.
For now, though, Pollard and company can savour a hard-fought win. It serves as a reminder that even in rugby’s most bruising championship, resilience remains the Boks’ greatest weapon.
Photo Credit: https://x.com/Springboks
