Springboks: Who did it better, Frans Steyn or Handre Pollard?
This is a tough one.
Handre Pollard and Frans Steyn have slotted sublime Rugby World Cup kicks for the Springboks against England. Who did it better though?
HANDRE POLLARD HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS
What do Handrè 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.
Frans Steyn the maverick
In a generation of physically brutish robots playing according to a script, Frans Steyn was the maverick that every pack of cards needs. Steyn’s legacy includes ludicrously difficult drop-kicks from range or slotted from virtually impossible angles, dressing room jokes and antics, big tackles, clutch moments, natural flair, frightening versatility, supreme in-game intelligence, dazzling improvisation and so much more.
IS RASSIE ERASMUS THE GREATEST COACH IN HISTORY
It’s crazy to observe how much value Rassie Erasmus adds as a head coach or Head of Rugby. We all know about his infamous ability to get into the heads of opponents. It’s so legendary that the Springboks even made a song about it, to the tune of The Cranberries’ song “Zombie” which they serenaded him with after their epic Rugby World Cup triumph in Paris. It wasn’t always going to be this way though. In September 2017, South Africa was mauled 57-0 by New Zealand on one of their darkest days. Just two years later they pulverised England into submission with a scoreline of 32-12 in the World Cup final in Yokohama. This team was moulded in Rassie’s image and they are a formidable group of human beings. The scale of this achievement can’t be put into words. What a team of men.
Who did it better, Frans or Handre? Let us know.
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