Now is the right time to unleash Pollard – Coetzee

“IT’S the right time‚” coach Allister Coetzee said‚ explaining Handre Pollard’s inclusion in the Springbok starting team to play France tomorrow.

The coach needs a near miracle, and he has introduced big game players in Pollard and Duane Vermeulen to help lift his team’s flagging fortunes.

Pollard‚ who suffered one orthopaedic mishap after the other since the start of last season‚ will be in the starting team for the first time since the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Coetzee believes this is the moment to unleash the pivot, who has been waiting in the wings for a start since he recovered from injury during the Rugby Championship.

He did not cover himself in glory against the All Blacks in Albany, but Pollard has since found his feet.

“He is looking sharp at training‚” Coetzee said.

Coetzee needs his squad to be reinvigorated after last weekend’s defeat in Dublin, and the inclusion of Pollard and Vermeulen is aimed at getting them on the front foot.

Last week, the Boks took too many steps back in the collision.

Both possess broad shoulders and have thrust in their stride.

The coach is also keen for his team not to get bogged down in their own territory.

While Elton Jantjies has a box of tricks up his sock with his clever dinks and cross kicks‚ Pollard possesses an assertive boot when he aims for touch.

It can provide respite and opportunity, and the coach unapologetically favours distance this week.

“I am pleased with Elton’s development effort this year‚” Coetzee said.

“He started all 10 tests and it is time to give Handre an opportunity.”

Francois Venter’s inclusion was also expected, after Damian de Allende trundled up blind alleys last week.

Venter’s sheer industry was explained as the reason he got the nod.

Springbok team: Andries Coetzee; Dillyn Leyds‚ Jesse Kriel‚ Francois Venter‚ Courtnall Skosan; Handre Pollard‚ Ross Cronje; Duane Vermeulen‚ Siya Kolisi‚ Francois Louw; Lood de Jager‚ Eben Etzebeth (captain); Wilco Louw‚ Malcolm Marx‚ Tendai Mtawarira. Substitutes: Bongi Mbonambi‚ Steven Kitshoff‚ Trevor Nyakane‚ Franco Mostert‚ Dan du Preez; Rudy Paige‚ Elton Jantjies‚ Damian de Allende. France: Nans Ducuing, Teddy Thomas, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Mathieu Bastareaud, Yoann Huget; Anthony Belleau, Antoine Dupont; Louis Picamoles, Kevin Gourdon, Judicael Cancoriet; Paul Gabrillagues, Sebastien Vahaamahina; Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Jefferson Poirot Substitutes: Clement Maynadier, Sebastien Taofifenua, Daniel Kotze, Paul Jedrasiak, Anthony Jelonch, Baptiste Serin, Francois Trinh-Duc, Damian Penaud