Handre Pollard is expected to recover from a calf injury in time to face New Zealand in the Springboks’ historic Test at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
The experienced fly-half will miss Saturday’s third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium in Soweto, but South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed Pollard will travel with the squad to the United States.
South Africa and New Zealand will meet again in Baltimore on Saturday, 12 September, with kick-off scheduled for 23:00 South African time. Pollard’s expected availability would give Erasmus a major boost ahead of the fourth and final match in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
“Handre, Grant Williams and Canan Moodie will be on the plane to Baltimore,” Erasmus said.
“They’ll be ready for selection next week.”
Pollard has earned 87 Test caps for the Springboks and has scored 837 points. That places him second on South Africa’s all-time scoring list, 56 points behind former full-back Percy Montgomery.
The 32-year-old has played a decisive role in several of South Africa’s most important victories. His return would provide Erasmus with a trusted big-match performer, as well as tactical authority and a dependable goal-kicking option.
South Africa must first deal with Saturday’s meeting in Soweto, where the two long-standing rivals will contest the third Test. However, the Springboks’ coaching staff are already planning for the possibility of having Pollard available for the unusual encounter in Baltimore.
The match will be the first time South Africa and New Zealand have played one another on American soil. M&T Bank Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, will host the fixture.
Erasmus said the unfamiliar surroundings would not change the essential nature of the contest.
“We play in stadiums all over the world. The field is still 70 metres by 100 metres,” he said.
“It’s something different for us to experience, and for the people who can get tickets to see the players in person. We’re really looking forward to it.”
The logistical arrangements surrounding the fixture will make the tour particularly unusual. Despite being fierce rivals on Saturday, the Springboks and All Blacks will travel together to Baltimore the following day.
Both teams will board the same charter flight on Sunday, with the journey expected to last between 12 and 15 hours.
Erasmus acknowledged the strange nature of sharing a plane with opponents immediately after competing against them.
“It’s kind of a weird thing to do,” he said.
“We fly on the same charter on Sunday, us and New Zealand on the same plane.
“The day before we were coming hard at each other and now we’re sitting on a plane together for 12 or 15 hours.”
The long transatlantic journey will make recovery a priority for both squads, with the fourth Test taking place only a week after Saturday’s match.
“It’s an interesting experience, but recovery is going to be important,” Erasmus said.
“It’s the same for both teams.”
While Pollard will not feature in the immediate Soweto contest, his progress has come at an important stage of the series. His presence in Baltimore would strengthen South Africa’s options as they prepare for another demanding meeting with the All Blacks.
The Springboks and New Zealand will effectively move from opponents to travelling companions after Saturday’s Test, before renewing their rivalry at M&T Bank Stadium.
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