Emotions were high as Stick reported that Handré Pollard had to withdraw from the starting lineup due to a calf injury obtained during training. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu steps up as the new No 10, while Manie Libbok will come off the bench.
"I'm not a medical expert, but I think it happened on Wednesday, we're waiting for testing now,"
The injury was not just a physical blow but an emotional one for Pollard, who is a seasoned campaigner and a two-time World Cup winner. Stick reflected on the gravity of the situation and Pollard's transparent emotional response.
"The nice thing about it – and I know it’s a sad situation – is for a leader like him to be honest about how he feels, to lose his pride in the sense of saying, ‘I’m not feeling well’. At that moment in the training session, I could see he was going through tears,"
Switching topics, Stick discussed the wing position, revealing that Cheslin Kolbe was called back into the squad replacing Kurt-Lee Arendse. He clarified that initial medical reports were incomplete, which led to last-minute changes once Kolbe was cleared to play.
"If you remember, last weekend both of those players came off injured. So we had to make way because, remember, we selected the team on Sunday as a coaching staff," Stick explained. The decision seemed tough but necessary, showing the fluid nature of rugby selections.
These changes highlight the unpredictable nature of rugby and the need for teams to adapt quickly to both injuries and the evolving conditions of players. With a crucial game ahead, the Springboks' adjustments might just be the key to leveling the series.
The Springboks are determined to make a strong comeback in this series, with hopes that their reorganized team will bring the needed edge to overcome their rivals. As the nation watches closely, the pressure is certainly on, but so is the excitement for what promises to be an enthralling encounter.
