Borthwick backs Pollock to thrive as South Africa name him 'public enemy number one'

Henry Pollock arrives in South Africa as the most talked-about player in England’s touring squad — and not entirely for flattering reasons. The 21-year-old Northampton flanker has been branded ‘public enemy number one’ by Springbok supporters, ridiculed by former players, and even warned by a stranger in the team hotel lobby that the home pack is coming for him ahead of Saturday’s Test at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.

Pollock did little to dampen the noise before departure, posting an Instagram message reading “See you soon” accompanied by a South African flag and a drop-of-blood emoji. Former Springbok flanker Schalk Burger added fuel to the fire by dismissing him as a “TikTok dancer who plays a bit of rugby”, while local media have made him the focal point of their build-up coverage.

England head coach Steve Borthwick is unmoved by the hostility. Having watched Pollock repeatedly absorb targeted provocation from French clubs during his time at Northampton, Borthwick is confident the flanker will respond in his customary fashion — with a smile and a performance to match the occasion.

“Over the last couple of years as Henry Pollock has emerged he’s faced challenges, especially in European rugby,” Borthwick said. “Teams see what he gives to his own team and they want to try and nullify that. I’ve seen that over and over, yet Henry Pollock just always seems to shine and thrive — with a smile on his face. We want more personalities like that.”

Pollock’s Northampton captain George Furbank, returning to the England side for the first time since November 2024 after a run of injuries, offered a telling anecdote about just how far his teammate’s notoriety has spread. A Congolese man who had been watching football at the team hotel approached Pollock unprompted to deliver the verdict: “You’re public enemy number one.”

“Every time we’ve spoken about the opposition hating him, he seems to go out and perform,” Furbank said. “He seems to get better and better the bigger the stage. I genuinely think it doesn’t actually bother him.”

Borthwick delayed naming his squad until Thursday due to illness and fitness concerns, but the final 23 held few surprises. Jack van Poortvliet wins the scrum-half battle ahead of Alex Mitchell and Ben Spencer to partner Fin Smith at half-back. Tommy Freeman continues at outside centre alongside rookie Seb Atkinson, a combination that will face the considerable test of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel in the Springbok midfield. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Cadan Murley start on the wings, while Ollie Chessum is set to captain the side. Pollock is expected to make his impact from the bench.