Getting the world champion Springboks “back on the horse” and off the mark in the 2025 Rugby Championship was Handre Pollard’s sole objective in Saturday’s showdown against the Wallabies at Cape Town Stadium.

Replacing flyhalf Manie Libbok in the starting XV, Man of the Match Pollard kicked three conversions and three penalties on Saturday to guide the Boks to a 30-22 win against Australia at Cape Town Stadium, surpassing 800 Test points (812) in the process. He also set up Canan Moodie’s try with a cross-kick.

“It’s great to contribute to the team. The only thing I care about is to win. Honestly, that’s the only thing we needed today,” Pollard told reporters post-match. “A lot of guys played very well. I know there always has to be one [Man of the Match] but for me, it was just about getting the win.”

Pollard’s masterclass helped Rassie Erasmus’ men secure their first win of the competition, and the perfect response to last week’s defeat to the Wallabies at Ellis Park.

“It was a tough week, and rightfully so. We were disappointed in the result,” he said. “But towards the end of the week we hit the sweet spot. We put [the loss] behind us, and we took a lot of learnings out of that game.”

READ: Rassie lauds Handre’s ‘cool head’

The Boks and Wallabies scored three tries apiece but an aerial battle between the teams underscored Saturday’s contest in a wet Mother City.

“That was a great battle within the game,” Pollard added. “Australia were very good on that transition, coming down and keeping it alive, and they’ve got some electric wings.

“It was a combination of tactics and conditions which forced us maybe into [a kicking game] a little bit more tonight. We knew what we had to do.

“It’s an area in rugby that’s getting much more competitive with all the new laws and stuff, so it’s pretty tough on a guy receiving a high ball. But our wings are unbelievable getting in there.

“We’ll always keep that as one of our strengths in our game, hopefully, going forward.”

The veteran playmaker praised the efforts of each member of the squad, while acknowledging Bok fans’ criticism of last week’s result.

“Yes, there’s senior guys but there’s a lot of young guys stepping up with a big voice and a lot of leadership and knowledge as well,” 83-cap Pollard said. “We take everything from everyone but it was an important one to get over the line this week.”

“The people care about the Springboks, and I think that’s the most important thing you’ve always got to remember,” he added. “They can be disappointed when we lose because they care so much, and they can be very excited and happy when we win.

“We just get on to the next job and try to get back on the horse. The trophies and the medals are nice, but for us it’s about making South Africa proud and making the Springboks the best team in the world.”