Handre Pollard’s form in an evolving attack-based game plan is likely to come under the spotlight when the cold light of day dissects the one-point defeat at the hands of Ireland in Durban on Saturday.
While the move to Tony Brown’s space-dominant attack is still in its infancy stages, and is unlikely to be shelved after a narrow defeat, the spotlight will fall more and more on some of the older World Cup winners and their roles in it as the Boks move forward to try and adopt a more expansive approach.
But in both tests now, Pollard has looked increasingly uncomfortable with the style of play, as if he is rushed, hurried to try and move the ball wide as quickly as possible.
It may just be exuberance but his bullet passes have been fired more with intent of speed at times than with precision, with Cheslin Kolbe again on Saturday being unable to take a pass that could have led to a try-scoring opportunity.
Brown has made it clear he wants Pollard to be a more gainline-focused player, as he was when he burst onto the scene back in 2014 and led the SA under-20s and made his test debut just a few weeks later.
The Pollard that arrived then had a devastating show and go, and kept defenses perplexed at what he wanted them to see, but as he was hit with two massive knee injuries, those attacking instincts faded, and like most flyhalves worldwide, he started to sink further and further into the pocket, dictating games with his boot.
The arrival as well of Willie le Roux made that a lot easier and the Boks employing two playmakers often let Pollard shift the responsibility to the fullback, who has an exceptional eye for summing up where an attacking threat is.
But it hasn’t been something that Pollard has had to focus on for a long time, and the teething problems that he is having again have been crucial for the Boks on attack.
Now this isn’t suggesting that Pollard can’t attack, or shift into the role that Brown wants from him. He is, after all, one of the world’s best 10s and has a sharp eye for detail.
But in the game plan the Boks have wanted to play in the opening two test matches of the year, he has looked uncomfortable as he shifts back into that attacking mode.
It has even prompted suggestions that Manie Libbok, who is expected to play in Bloemfontein against Portugal, may have been a slicker fit for the game plan that Brown wants to execute, but the lack of confidence in his goalkicking abilities has placed him lower on the Bok pecking order.
While few Boks had a good first half in Durban against Ireland, Pollard made a few vital mistakes that cost the Boks points, fluffing a restart, getting caught with the ball and dragged back over the tryline and then seconds later being pinned for being offside.
That can happen to any player, and the Boks won’t lose sleep over it, especially as his goalkicking was the main reason that they clawed their way back into the lead, and without it the Boks may not have given themselves a chance to win the test, ten points down at halftime.
It can be argued that in players like Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the future is set for the Boks, and Libbok can always play if needed. Siya Masuku, who was in the Bok squad but has been released, is another who will be knocking on the door for the 10 jersey, so there will be competition. Jordan Hendrikse made his debut against Wales and is in Rassie Erasmus’ long-term plans.
But for the Boks to play the way Brown wants them to play, Pollard needs to adapt, and fast. Every Bok fan knows what a clutch player he is with the boot and how his heroic kicking in the World Cup was a large reason for the victory last year.
And he won’t be alone in facing up to the challenges of a new game plan. Several of his teammates will be tested, knowing if they don’t adapt, there are younger, hungrier players waiting in the wings, who will push them harder as the season goes on.
Pollard needs to refind that form of his early career and again become the perfect 10. And when he does, the Bok backline will start firing in the way Brown wants them to.