PARIS, Oct 21 (Reuters) - An injury to hooker Malcolm Marx early in the Rugby World Cup threatened a major blow to South Africa’s hopes of retaining the title but the opportunity to call up Handre Pollard was a gamble that paid off handsomely in Saturday’s semi-final.
Pollard, who kicked South Africa to the title at the last World Cup in Japan, was left out of the original 33-man squad after failing to prove his fitness.
"We needed some energy and that's why we decided to bring on the bench early," the Springbok coach said.
When South Africa won a scrum penalty two metres inside the England half with two minutes to go, the stage was set for Pollard.
"Firstly the scrum penalty, that is what got us the opportunity," said Pollard.
Persons:
Malcolm Marx, Africa’s, Handre Pollard, Pollard, Libbok, Jacques Nienaber, Siya Kolisi, ” Kolisi, It’s, Ed Osmond
Organizations:
Rugby, Springboks, New Zealand, Stade de France, Tonga, France, Springbok, South Africa, England, Leicester, Thomson
Locations:
Saturday’s, England, South Africa, Japan, Yokohama, France