Handre Pollard ruled out as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts for Springboks against All Blacks

Springbok fly-half Handre Pollard has been ruled out of Saturday’s Greatest Rivalry Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town after picking up a niggle in training, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu promoted into the starting line-up.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu had already started the Springboks’ Tests against Argentina and the All Blacks last week and will now return to the starting side for the second meeting between the teams.

Pollard’s withdrawal was confirmed after he was assessed on Friday morning. The fly-half had developed the issue during Wednesday’s training session, and the decision was subsequently taken to remove him from the team.

Manie Libbok will provide cover from the bench, while scrum-half Morne van den Berg is also included among the replacements.

Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe has likewise been brought back into the starting line-up after recovering fully from the knock that forced him to leave the field during last week’s opening Test between the sides in Johannesburg.

Kolbe’s return means Kurt-Lee Arendse drops out of the matchday squad for Saturday’s fixture in Cape Town.

The changes give the Springboks a revised half-back combination and restore Kolbe to the team for the latest instalment of their rivalry with the All Blacks. Feinberg-Mngomezulu will take over the fly-half role from Pollard, with Libbok available should further cover be required during the match.

Pollard’s late withdrawal follows the training-ground problem that was reviewed on Friday morning, leaving the Springboks to make a change shortly before the second Test.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu has previously started against both Argentina and the All Blacks last week, and his selection ensures that he returns to the starting team rather than moving into the matchday squad solely as a replacement.

Kolbe, meanwhile, is available again after the knock sustained in Johannesburg. His recovery allows him to come back into the side, although his inclusion also means Arendse is no longer part of the matchday squad.

Saturday’s contest will therefore feature two notable adjustments from the Springboks’ previous selection: Kolbe returns on the wing and Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts at fly-half in place of Pollard.

The All Blacks remain the opposition for the second Test, with the match taking place in Cape Town after last week’s opening encounter in Johannesburg. Pollard’s injury concern and Kolbe’s recovery have shaped the Springboks’ final changes before the match.