Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard is not being lined up as a late addition to the World Cup squad and, according to Jacques Nienaber, won’t feature in France unless circumstance creates a vacancy in the squad.
Pollard, along with fellow 2019 Rugby World Cup winners Lukhanyo Am and Lood de Jager, were big omissions from the squad that will travel to France to defend the World Cup title.
The 65-cap flyhalf is making his way back from a calf injury and has not played for the Springboks since last August.
Both Pollard and Am, who suffered a knee injury, were included in a five-player standby list that will travel with the Boks to the UK for the final two warm-up games against Wales and New Zealand.
The potential that Pollard could play in the warm-up matches resulted in speculation that he would be included as part of the 33 that will play at the World Cup, in place of one of the four scrumhalves or five outside backs.
MALLETT: Pollard must play at the World Cup
However, speaking from OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg on Saturday, Nienaber denied that he is planning a surprise late change to his squad.
“There are a lot of rumours flying around about the squad, about this plot that we’re going to take four scrumhalves and we’re going to put Handre in,” Nienaber told Sport24.
“But if you have a heart, how do you pick a guy and then tell him to fake an injury and get the other guy in? We would never do that. If there are no injuries, the whole 33 will go and come back.
“Handre is not injured now, and he trained with us for two sessions, but he’s still on his way back from a fitness perspective. He is at about 20 to 25 percent of the loads, having done an attack and defence session.
“It’s like having to prepare for the Comrades in three weeks, but only running 10kms in a week. You might walk and make it, but there will be luck involved.”
WATCH: 10 to 1 Pollard makes it to the World Cup
Photo: PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP via Getty Images
