Erasmus names Pollock England's biggest threat ahead of Ellis Park Test opener

Rassie Erasmus has identified Henry Pollock as the player South Africa must contain when England arrive at Ellis Park on Saturday for the opening fixture of the Nations Championship, describing the 21-year-old as a well-rounded threat across all facets of the game.

The Springboks head coach refused to engage with the noise surrounding Pollock’s reputation in South Africa, where former flanker Schalk Burger dismissed him as a “TikTok dancer who plays a bit of rugby” and where he is a frequent target of criticism on social media. Erasmus instead kept his focus firmly on what Pollock produces on the pitch.

“For us to comment on a guy like him not knowing his contribution as a character in their team would be stupid,” Erasmus said. “None of us can say we know him as a person. How can we judge him? His team mates probably love him so what does it matter what the world says? His team mates love him and he does well there.”

“He’s a very good rugby player, not just on the defensive side or the attacking side, but also on the physical side,” he added. “He is a massive threat. He is a flipping good rugby player.”

Pollock caught the eye during Northampton’s Gallagher Premiership title run, making hard yards from number eight, and is expected to continue in a high-impact bench role for the first of three Tests against the back-to-back world champions.

South Africa have named a formidable starting XV for the occasion, captained by Siya Kolisi and featuring Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende. The full team reads: D Willemse; C Kolbe, J Kriel, D de Allende, K-Lee Arendse; M Libbok, G Williams; O Nche, M Marx, T du Toit, E Etzebeth, R Nortje, S Kolisi (capt), P-Steph du Toit, J Wiese. Replacements: J-H Wessels, G Steenekamp, Z Porthen, M van Staden, C Hanekom, C Reinach, A Esterhuizen, C Moodie.