Frans Steyn or Handre Pollard? You decide, Springboks fans!
Steyn's nerveless kick from distance in the 2007 final put the contest to bed against England.
16 years later, Pollard stuck the knife into England again, this time in the semis.
Springboks points machine: Where is Percy Montgomery now?
Nelson Mandela, Springbok fan and style guru
So, what do Pollard and the legendary François Steyn have in common? Well, they've both slotted massive penalties to help their sides to Rugby World Cup knockout wins against England. Frans Steyn did it in the biggest game of all back in 2007 in France when he was just 20 years old, seemingly unperturbed by the unbearable pressure heaped on his shoulders. He converted from 48 metres in the 62nd minute in the final to give the Springboks a 15-6 lead. England never recovered. Pollard's nerveless penalty in the semi-final against England in 2023 sent the Boks to the final. The rest, as they say, is history.
SPRINGBOKS: Kolisi and his daughter share a beautiful moment Springbok star Handre Pollard. Image: David Ramos/World Rugby
What do Pollard and the legendary François Steyn have in common? Well, they've both slotted massive penalties to help their sides to Rugby World Cup knockout wins against England. Frans Steyn did it in the biggest game of all back in 2007 in France when he was just 20 years old, seemingly unperturbed by the unbearable pressure heaped on his shoulders. He converted from 48 metres in the 62nd minute in the final to give the Springboks a 15-6 lead. England never recovered. Pollard said the nerveless penalty in last year's semi-final was the best strike of his career.
ICYMI: Inspirational comeback story
GOLDEN OLDIES: Meet the four RWC winners born in the 80s
Who did it better, though? Can these kicks even be compared, given the different contexts and nuances involved?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
21 minutes ago
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns - All 10 confirmed moves! Chiefs and Pirates linked
Mamelodi Sundowns are cleaning out house. Take note, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Mamelodi Sundowns have released NINE players so far. Meanwhile, they have signed just ONE star so far. MASANDAWANA DEPARTURES : Rivaldo Coetzee Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates) Lucas Suarez Lebohang Maboe Sifiso Ngobeni Thabang Sibanyoni Sanele Tshabalala Kobamelo Kodisang (AVS Futebol SAD) Rushine De Reuck (Simba SC) Meanwhile, Sundowns have made just one signing in Fawaaz Basadien from Stellenbosch FC. Meaning, Coetzee, Suarez. Maboe, Ngobeni, Sibanyoni and Tshabalala are all free agents now (at the time of publication). Mbule left Sundowns to join Soweto giants, Mamelodi Sundowns. Furthermore, Maboe is on both Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates' radar. 'Other clubs reportedly vying for Maboe's signature include Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, as well as Sekhukhune United. Babina Noko had previously expressed interest in the midfielder before his loan move to SuperSport. For Amakhosi, the interest comes amidst significant squad changes, with captain Yusuf Maart's move to Austria reportedly imminent and Edson Castillo already released,' FarPost reported. Interestingly, Chiefs were monitoring Maboe's situation closely. So, now with Maboe heading out of Chloorkop, Amakhosi are expected to pounce. They face stiff competition from rivals, Pirates and Sekhukhune United. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Rassie explains Bok selection decisions that have raised eyebrows
Skipper Kolisi is playing at number eight instead of six, but there's a method to what may seem like madness Never afraid to make big calls that raise eyebrows, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has explained why he moved captain Siya Kolisi to number eight for the opening Test of the Rugby Championship match against Australia at Ellis Park on Saturday. With Kolisi — whose usual position is at six — at number eight, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marco van Staden are the two flankers, and Erasmus has gone with the combination of Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth at lock. This will be the first time in Test rugby Kolisi plays at number eight and Erasmus is confident he will be full value as they look to start the campaign on a winning note. 'We actually changed our minds there. The more we practised and prepared for this Test match, [the more] we realised the only time a guy really plays at eight is [in] the scrums, and scrums probably happens 13 or 14 times in a game. 'But general play is probably the thing that happens the most, and having guys like Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden and Siya on the field at the same time is good, because Australia are a big threat at the breakdown. Boks coach Rassie Erasmus explains Siya Kolisi positional switch. WATCH full press conference ➡️➡️➡️ — Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) August 11, 2025 'They bite hard at the breakdown and those three guys can clean out and we are going to need that. Siya is going to pack scrums and sometimes he might play flank and Marco at eight. '[Forwards] coach Daan [Human] is happy with the way he [has] us scrumming, but apart from that they will [be] crucial in general play. I said it a couple of weeks ago that Siya is a six and not an eight, but we came to the conclusion that it won't happen so much in the game where we need him there.' Erasmus also backed Manie Libbok ahead of Handrè Pollard and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and explained why he didn't pick a specialist flyhalf on the bench. 'Sasha and Handrè will probably play in Cape Town [next weekend] to spread the load. Not having a flyhalf on the bench, you know that Damian [Willemse] can play that position for us. 'The only time we really we swap flyhalves is if he is having an off day or missing kicks, but Manie has been slotting them really well. I think the new rhino ball must be making the difference because he is doing well. 'We felt we had to have cover at position 13 and with Damian de Allende having a niggle and only expected to be ready next week, we went with Canan [Moodie] on the bench. 'It was between Sasha and Handrè or Canan and because we don't have an out-and-out cover at 13, we do have a Damian [Willemse] as cover for [number] 10.' Erasmus also explained why he announced the squad on Monday. 'It is because we have been preparing for three weeks for Australia and that doesn't normally happen. What usually happens is after the incoming series, the next Test match is a little bit closer. 'Why we are announcing the squad on Monday is to get the speculation out of the way, and also for players to know who is playing so that we can focus on training well,' he said, adding there may be changes. 'If you look at the balance of their squad, they brought a lot of forwards on tour and we might change on Friday and bring RG [Snyman] back in the mix if they go with a six/two split on the bench. If they stay with five/three, which is pretty much their team, that will be it.'
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: Nasreddine Nabi to leave? Amakhosi management unhappy
Nasreddine Nabi faces an uncertain future at Kaizer Chiefs after a disappointing pre-season. Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi's future is under discussion. Amakhosi management is not happy with a couple of things. So, they are set to hold important talks with Nabi over his future soon. Amakhosi management is unpleased and unhappy with Nabi. They are unhappy with the poor results during Chiefs' recent pre-season of Netherlands. Furthermore, they are displeased with Nabi's attitude as well. 'To be honest with you, I don't know what is going to happen with the coach, but what I can tell you is that management is not competently happy with how things are going. They are not happy with the coach's attitude at times and were not convinced by the preseason preparations. They do want to address it,' the insider stated on SNL . Therefore, Chiefs are set to hold important talks with Nabi over his future. Meanwhile, Chiefs were spotted with a new coach and have a new captain who will usher in the new era of Amakhosi football. However, these talks have been placed on hold for now. That is because Nabi is dealing with personal issues. The current Chiefs head coach was not available for Amakhosi's BetWay Premiership opener against Stellenbosch FC. This is because his wife was involved in an accident. He is spending time with her during this time. Khalil Ben Youssef steps up as the interim coach. Therefore, as things stand, Nabi will resume his position as head coach when he returns. However, as disucssed, Amakhosi management are unhappy. So, they will be holding key talks with Nabi soon. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
