Best Boks v Australia: Perfect Pollard Delivers The Goods  

Handre Pollard’s boot was the difference as the Springboks rebounded with a 30-22 win over the Wallabies in their Rugby Championship rematch in Cape Town on Saturday, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The defending champions led 20-10 at halftime and held on against the never-say-die men from Down Under to get their campaign back on track.

Our top three Springbok standouts were:

Handre Pollard

The change at flyhalf for this rematch, with Pollard taking over from Manie Libbok, highlighted the change in philosophy, with the Boks reverting to their more tactical and direct DNA after their free-running self-destruction at Ellis Park last weekend.

And, while it wasn’t as convincing as it could’ve and probably should’ve been, it did the trick as the Boks bounced back from the shock 38-22 opening round loss to retain the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate.

Pollard, as he’s done so many times in his decorated career, delivered the goods, both with his tactical prowess and his renowned place-kicking. His masterclass off the tee, a perfect six-out-of-six (three conversions and three penalty goals), saw him score half of the hosts’ points, move past 800 points in Test rugby and win the game for the Boks.

The double World Cup-winning Iceman’s accuracy, along with James O’Connor missing three crucial late kicks, two of which were sitters, once again emphasized the importance of having an ace goal-kicker in Test rugby.

Pollard controlled the game particularly well in the first half, including putting Canan Moodie in for the first of South Africa’s three tries with a deft crosskick, was one of the key cool heads who helped get them over the line in the tense second 40, and was duly rewarded with the Man of the Match award.

Canan Moodie goes over 🤩🔥

Watch the match live on SuperSport in either English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa 🎙️

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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 23, 2025

Ox Nche

Nche was a complete colossus in his first Test as Bok vice-captain. Though the men in Green and Gold didn’t have the scrum dominance they would’ve wanted, that was more down to Thomas du Toit not making the most of his rare Test start than “The Cake Boss” not firing. That was evidenced by Nche winning the hosts’ only penalty in the set piece of the first half, which resulted in three points.

The big man was immense in general play, one highlight being his barnstorming carry in the build-up to Kwagga Smith’s try, while he was a prevalent power player in defence, making 10 tackles (only Smith and Damian de Allende made more with 14 each). He capped off his strong 70-minute outing by ripping a textbook turnover in a maul.

Kwagga under the poles 😤🙌

Watch the match live on SuperSport in either English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa 🎙️

📺 Stream #TRC2025 on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/cMhCi7mRzm

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 23, 2025

Cheslin Kolbe

Returning from injury, Kolbe oozed class in a performance that underpinned what makes him one of the best wingers in the world. While he was good on attack, beating two defenders and making a Bok-best 59 metres, his greater value came to light.

Most obvious was his excellent chasing and aerial work, with the reigning South African Player of the Year winning back two of Grant Williams’ well-judged box kicks. Next was his good positional play in defence, something his fellow outside backs lacked.

There was also the fine clearance kick out of his 22, the two turnovers he won (one of which was overturned due to a high tackle by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu), and the brave tackle on Tom Hooper.