Injury forces Pollard out as Kolbe recovers to start second Springboks-All Blacks Test

Handré Pollard has been ruled out of South Africa’s starting XV for the second Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand in Cape Town, after picking up a niggle in Wednesday’s training session. His withdrawal prompted a reshuffle that also sees Cheslin Kolbe — initially a doubt — declared fit and thrown straight back into the starting line-up.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu moves from the bench into the No. 10 jersey he wore at Ellis Park last weekend, while Manie Libbok inherits the No. 23 spot Feinberg-Mngomezulu had originally been named in. Kolbe’s return comes at the expense of Kurt-Lee Arendse, who drops out of the matchday squad entirely as the Springbok icon reclaims his place on the right wing.

Kolbe had gone down in the 58th minute of the first Test, clutching his hamstring before walking gingerly from the field. Head coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged on Monday that the injury was more complex than first feared. “It’s more than just cramps. It’s not even the hamstring anymore; it’s a little bit of an ankle as well,” Erasmus told reporters. “It might be a late change with Cheslin if he really recovers well.” Team doctors have now cleared him, and Kolbe will play in front of a home crowd in the city where he grew up.

The two enforced changes mean Erasmus, who had initially planned five alterations to the side beaten at Ellis Park, ultimately fields a team showing just three differences from that defeat: Siya Kolisi at No. 6, Cobus Reinach at scrum-half, and Ethan Hooker on the left wing.

The series is level at one Test apiece, with the Cape Town clash representing a pivotal opportunity for South Africa to take control of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry fixture ahead of any deciding match.