Rassie gamble on Pollard pays off after 'rollercoaster'

Rassie Erasmus' gamble on drafting in experienced World Cup winner Handre Pollard as a replacement for injured hooker Malcolm Marx looks set to reap dividends as the flyhalf gave a controlled display in South Africa's victory over Tonga.

Pollard, who kicked 22 points to guide the Springboks to victory over England in the World Cup final in Japan four years ago, booted four conversions from four attempts and slipped right back into the groove after a 13-month absence against the Pacific Islanders in Marseille on Sunday.

The 29-year-old was initially ruled out of this World Cup in France with a niggling calf injury, but he returned to competitive action earlier this month with his English club Leicester.

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He was then called up as a replacement for Marx, with Erasmus spurning the idea of summoning a specialist hooker as back-up to Bongi Mbonambi, instead relying on squad members Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden, who are principally backrow forwards.

Pollard did not feature in last week's 13-8 defeat to Ireland but the failure of South Africa's two goalkickers, Manie Libbok and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, in that match had increased the calls for the flyhalf's return to the team.

"I enjoyed it very much, it was so much fun. Just on a personal note, it was nice to play again and I enjoyed myself out there," said Pollard, whose only game time with Leicester was 30 minutes in the Premiership Cup.

"Returning to the squad has been crazy rollercoaster," he added.

"There have been extreme lows, of course, early on and extreme highs to get recalled, so really just great to be back in the environment with the boys.

"Hopefully, I'll contribute as much as I can in whatever role that may be. I am just