Pollard’s Boot Seals South Africa’s Win Over Australia in Cape Town
The rain was pouring down in Cape Town, but nothing could dampen the intensity of this Rugby Championship clash. South Africa and Australia went head-to-head in a brutal contest, and at the heart of it all stood Handré Pollard, the Springbok fly-half whose right boot once again proved decisive.
Pollard has this aura about him — the way he scowls at the uprights, pointing at them like they’re already his. It feels less like he’s taking a shot at goal and more like he’s claiming what belongs to him. And on this night, every single kick mattered. Pollard nailed all six of his attempts, contributing 15 crucial points to South Africa’s 30-22 victory.
Of course, the Springboks didn’t win purely because of Pollard. Their forward pack dominated the close quarters, cleaning up the breakdown after last week’s struggles, and they made sure the Australians had little space to exploit. Canan Moodie, Kwagga Smith, and Eben Etzebeth all powered over for tries that kept the scoreboard ticking and the Wallabies under constant pressure.
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Still, the difference between the two sides could be traced back to goal-kicking. James O’Connor had his chances for Australia but missed three attempts — including a conversion and two late penalties that could have swung the game in his team’s favor. In a match separated by just eight points, those missed kicks weighed heavily.
That’s not to say Australia didn’t shine. Corey Toole marked his debut with a sharp try from a clever Nic White kick, Max Jorgensen grabbed another after a smart cross-field move, and Brandon Paenga-Amosa rumbled over from a rolling maul. Even when Tom Wright went off injured, the Wallabies kept pushing, showing flashes of the fast, exciting rugby they’re known for. At times, they looked like they could snatch back-to-back wins against the Springboks for the first time in a decade.
But South Africa were determined not to crumble as they had in Johannesburg a week earlier, when they blew a huge lead. Under Rassie Erasmus’s watchful eye, they kept things tighter, smarter, and more controlled. Every time Australia threatened, Pollard’s boot pushed them back out of reach. When Etzebeth stretched over for his late try, the gap widened beyond what the Wallabies could realistically chase down.
After the match, South Africa’s relief was clear. They hadn’t been perfect, but they had steadied the ship, bounced back under pressure, and reminded everyone why they are the reigning world champions. Australia, on the other hand, showed courage and flair but still lacked that one ruthless, clinical figure who can bend a game by sheer force of will — the way Pollard does.
And that’s the difference. The Wallabies might be back in the mix, but until they find their own Test match animal, as the Springboks have in Pollard, the big trophies may continue to slip away. For now, Cape Town belongs to South Africa — and to the man with the scowl and the golden boot.
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