Borthwick has opted to use Henry Pollock as an impact player off the bench for the Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park, and the piece argues that decision has cost the match meaningful attendance momentum. The local appetite to see Pollock — already dubbed 'public enemy No 1' by Johannesburg locals — run into Etzebeth, Wiese or Du Toit is genuine and significant, with sharply discounted tickets now needed to fill seats that might have sold themselves had he started. The piece frames Pollock's bench role as a deliberate Borthwick choice, not a selection snub, but the surrounding noise from the Johannesburg rugby public suggests his eventual entry will be the moment the crowd truly ignites.
AnalysisSpringboksThe Guardian Rugby
Pollock starts on the bench — but the real story is why Ellis Park wants him on the field
Borthwick has Pollock on the bench, but local appetite to see him collide with the Boks' heavyweights is real — the piece explores why that call may have cost England the full Ellis Park atmosphere.
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