England star Henry Pollock is set to face the daunting challenge of South Africa’s formidable forwards in the upcoming match at Ellis Park. Head coach Steve Borthwick expressed confidence in Pollock’s ability to handle the pressure, noting that he has thrived in high-stakes situations before.

Pollock, known as the player that Springbok fans love to hate, has embraced the role of the pantomime villain. His Instagram post prior to the July tour, featuring a South African flag and a drop of blood emoji, stirred controversy and added to the animosity directed towards him.

Despite facing criticism from former players like Schalk Burger, who labeled him a “TikTok dancer,” Pollock remains unfazed. He is even regarded as “public enemy number one” by local fans, as noted by a passerby at England’s team hotel in Johannesburg.

Borthwick praised Pollock’s resilience, stating:

“He just always seems to shine and thrive – with a smile on his face.”
This sentiment was echoed by Pollock’s Northampton captain George Furbank, who highlighted how Pollock performs better under pressure. Furbank shared an anecdote about a Congolese man who approached Pollock, affirming his notorious reputation.

Borthwick has delayed naming his team due to sickness and fitness concerns, but the squad to face the Springboks includes key decisions behind the scrum. Jack van Poortvliet will start at scrum-half, while Tommy Freeman continues in the outside position despite a challenging midfield partnership. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Cadan Murley will take the wings, and Ollie Chessum is set to captain England if Jamie George exits early.