Pollard to Park It, Sacha to Spark It

Nicholas Halsey
13 minutes ago
2 min read

Eden Park has a way of exposing even the best teams, which is why this Bok 23 is built on a balance of bruisers, workhorses, and a dash of unpredictability. Bring on Round 3 of the Rugby Championship.

Up front, the front row of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, and Thomas du Toit sets the tone. Thomas gets the nod ahead of Wilco Louw because he offers more in general play and at the breakdown, giving the Boks another physical presence around the park. Wilco’s role, though, is just as vital, when the game slows down in the second half, and hands slip a little, his scrummaging power can tilt the contest.

Behind them, Etzebeth and Nortje provide the steel and engine. Nortje edges out Lood de Jager this time, having proven himself as a tireless workhorse on defence who can go the full 80 if needed. That frees up Franco Mostert on the bench to cover both flank and lock, adding flexibility depending on how the battle unfolds.

The loose trio of Kolisi, Pieter-Steph, and Van Staden brings leadership, lineout options, and a relentless edge at the breakdown. Whilst at halfback, the pairing of Grant Williams and Handré Pollard is deliberate. Williams injects tempo and sniping danger, while Pollard gives the composure and game management Eden Park demands. Pollard is the Boks’ game-managing genius, and his infallible goal-kicking is non-negotiable in a fixture where every point matters.

Out wide, Mapimpi, Kolbe, and Le Roux bring a mix of finishing power, magic, and vision, with De Allende and Kriel holding down the midfield with their tried-and-tested chemistry. The loss of both Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe can not be understated here and as an out and out winger with a wealth of experience, Mapimpi gets the nod for me over Canan and Aphelele in this crunch test.

The bench is stacked: Bongi, Wessels, Louw, Snyman, Mostert, and Kwagga mean the pack never relents, while Cobus Reinach offers a gear change at nine. Then there’s Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the 23 jersey. His versatility across 10, 12, and 15 makes him a coach’s dream, but more than that, his booming boot and calm temperament add unpredictability when the game breaks up. If Pollard provides the control from the outset, Sacha injects disruption and flair when it matters most.

This 23 isn’t about flashy experiments. It’s about picking the side best equipped to outmuscle, outlast, and outthink the All Blacks at their fortress. Pollard to steer, Sacha to unsettle, and a pack designed to win the arm-wrestle for 80 minutes.

1. Ox Nche

2. Malcolm Marx

3. Thomas Du Toit

4. Eben Etzebeth

5. Ruan Nortje

6. Siya Kolisi (c)

7. Pieter-Steph Du Toit

8. Marco van Staden

9. Grant Williams

10. Handre Pollard

11. Makazole Mapimpi

12. Damian De Allende