MX23RW : Thursday, November 28 08:25:52| >> :600:554844:554844:
Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Oct 3, 2015 at 4.45pm UK
 
South Africa
34-16
Scotland
Burger (13'), Pietersen (38'), Habana (74')
FT
Seymour (49')

South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard: 'Drop goal against Scotland my call'

South Africa's Handre Pollard tells Sports Mole that it was his decision to try the drop goal which put a stop to some Scottish momentum in their Rugby World Cup game.

South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard told Sports Mole this evening that his drop goal in the Rugby World Cup Pool B contest against Scotland was his call.

Three of Pollard's 19 points in Newcastle arrived shortly after Scotland had scored their one and only try and his kick restored the Springboks' double-digit lead before they ended up winning 34-16 at St James' Park.

Pollard, whose kick was the third drop goal of the tournament, felt that it was just what his team needed at the time.

"When we were standing behind the posts (while Scotland took their conversion) we just said let's put some more points on the board and get back some momentum," Blue Bulls man Pollard said.

"It was my call (to go for the drop goal). It's something we've been working on. Drop goals can be important in Rugby World Cups and we're glad it worked out tonight."

Scotland number-eight David Denton told SM that he had never struggled as much in a game before and Pollard felt South Africa were "brilliant" defensively.

"There's always stuff to work on, but defensively I thought we were brilliant tonight," he added. "We got really stuck in, but I think on attack we can show much more composure and much more patience."

South Africa's victory took them top of Pool B ahead of their final match against USA on Wednesday at the Olympic Stadium. They are not yet through to the quarter-finals, but if they progress as expected they will face either Wales or Australia after the latter knocked hosts England out of the tournament.

ID:250559: cacheID:250559:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2961:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
South Africa's flanker Schalk Burger (L) celebrates after scoring a try with South Africa's lock Eben Etzebeth during a Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Scotland at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: SA 17 points ahead of Scotland
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!