Erasmus backs Pollard after 'worst player on the pitch' verdict from Zebo

Rassie Erasmus has moved to publicly back Handré Pollard after the fly-half endured a difficult URC playoff campaign with the Bulls, culminating in a 36-7 final defeat to Leinster that drew fierce criticism from former Ireland wing Simon Zebo.

Zebo, now a prominent pundit, was unsparing in his assessment after the final. “Pollard, a World Cup winner. He’s been the worst player on the pitch,” he said. “Canan Moodie, you could say the same thing about him. You rely on your best players to step up in big games. They have been nothing short of horrible.”

Speaking to South African media ahead of the Springboks’ Nations Championship opener against England on 4 July, Erasmus pushed back firmly. “Handré didn’t exactly set the world alight for the Bulls, but he has never let us down,” the head coach said. “A lot of people are talking, but we know what Handré can do.”

Erasmus also questioned whether outside observers had the full picture. “It’s difficult to point fingers at someone while he’s playing for his franchise and you haven’t worked with him for a while. You don’t have a full view of the environment. Why would he suddenly become a poor player? Is there an injury? No, there isn’t, so perhaps he’s just had a week or two where he wasn’t exceptional.”

With Pollard’s international standing under scrutiny, the Springboks used Saturday’s 80-31 victory over the Barbarians as an opportunity to assess alternatives at fly-half. Quan Horn wore the No 10 jersey from the start, with Vusi Moyo making an impact off the bench. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu remains sidelined by injury but is expected to be fit for the series against the All Blacks in August and September.

Horn conceded an early try after being beaten in the tackle, but Erasmus was broadly satisfied with his performance. “Funnily enough, one of Quan’s strengths is his defence and the first try was a guy who ran over him,” Erasmus said. “The nice thing was it didn’t take him off his focus. In the game, he certainly had some wonderful passes, creating tries for the guys and kicking well to touch. This is what this game was for: to sort out a few problems and get some answers. Overall, I thought he did really well. I am happy with Quan.”

The Nations Championship test against England on 4 July will give Erasmus his first competitive opportunity to settle the fly-half question, with Pollard still very much in the frame despite his club-season struggles.