Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard is relishing the chance to lead South Africa to victory against Tonga in their final Rugby World Cup pool match after a 13-month absence.

After losing to Ireland 13-8, the Boks are now in second place in Pool B. They will try to beat the Tongans and get a bonus point, which would let them finish second in the group.

They will be hoping that it won’t be like the last time they played each other at the World Cup, when Jake White’s South Africa had to bring in the big guns from the bench to win 30–25 in their pool and go on to win the Webb Ellis Cup.

“We’ve got certain things that we have to rectify that we couldn’t get right against Ireland,” said South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber, with goalkickers Manie Libbok and Faf de Klerk both misfiring against the Irish.

“In terms of our game plan, there are definitely some things that we will try a little bit differently in this game to see if it works.

“The result is very important but we need to fix that if we do get the opportunity to go into a quarter-final or knockout rugby. If we don’t fix those things we probably won’t last long in this competition.”

Pollard just got back from an injury and was added to the World Cup team last week. Four years ago, when the Springboks beat England 32-12 in the World Cup final, Pollard kicked 22 points.

There were 12 changes to the starting team that went to Ireland, and he was one of them.

Flanker Siya Kolisi, who will be making his 50th appearance as captain, Eben Etzebeth, and Jasper Wiese will all stay on for the must-win match, which will determine which two teams from Pool B advance to the quarter-finals and who they will play in the top-eight playoffs.

“My expectations for myself is just going to be to express myself and enjoy it knowing that it’s not going to be perfect,” said Pollard, with just 30 minutes under his belt in his comeback from a debilitating calf injury.

Tonga coach Toutai Kefu said matches against the likes of South Africa “are the games that get me out of bed”.

“You always want to test yourself against the best in the world. We’ve done that regularly so far and we’ve enjoyed the occasion.”

Kefu, who won the 1999 World Cup with Australia, added: “I suppose from a results point of view, it’s been disappointing so far.

“It’s certainly not the way we looked at it to turn out, 60 points by Ireland (a 59-16 defeat) and then 40-odd points by Scotland (45-17).”

Kefu has made three changes to the starting lineup. Semisi Paea is now No. 8 instead of Vaea Fifita, who is suspended.

In the other two changes, Anzelo Tuitavuki will start on the left wing and Fine Inisi will start on the right.

Charles Piutau, Malakai Fekitoa, and Augustine Pulu, who used to be All Blacks, all start. Former Wallaby forward Adam Coleman, who used to be an All Black, is on the bench.

Tonga’s World Cup is over on October 8 when they play Romania in Lille.

Photo by EPA/KIM LUDBROOK