England are bracing for a hostile reception at Ellis Park, with young firebrand Henry Pollock firmly in the Springboks' crosshairs. George Furbank, pictured, lifted the lid earlier this week on why the Northampton Saints flanker thrives on being the man everyone loves to hate. Photo: AFP
There can be no denying that one of the major subplots brewing this week ahead of the Nations Championship clash between South Africa and England is the reception that Northampton Saints loose forward Henry Pollock will receive from both the Springboks and the Ellis Park crowd.
The English seem to believe that the Boks are absolutely salivating to get Pollock by the scruff of the neck and teach that laaitjie a lesson or two in rugby etiquette and manners. The abrasive nature of Pollock’s approach to the game has certainly got tongues wagging about the need for rugby to develop characters in what remains a conservative game.
The narrative has slowly percolated away this past week, with every opportunity taken to quiz both teams about the cult of personality that has formed around the young flanker. Perhaps Ellis Park on Saturday (kick-off 5.40pm) will also play its part.
It’s an intimidating drive into Doornfontein, and the highly partisan crowd can be a fierce factor during the game as they are arguably more results-and-deadline-driven than most. The cauldron they create, coupled with a ferocious-looking Bok matchday 23 and lung-busting altitude, makes it all the more imposing.
