Rassie Erasmus has heaped praise on flyhalf Handre Pollard’s metronomical kicking and the overall calmness he brought to the Springboks’ attack in their 30-22 win over the Wallabies at the Cape Town Stadium.

Man of the Match Pollard slotted three penalties and three conversions in a perfect kicking display, and set-up Canan Moodie’s 11th minute try with a well-weighted cross-kick.

“Handre’s cool head was necessary for us tonight and he kicked over his penalties. Three points are just two less than five and he proved it today. [James] O’Connor missed two kicks, while Handre got all his over, so he was immensely important to us. Handre is 31 and we are very satisfied with the way he steadied the ship for us.”

RASSIE: Ground-out win better than pretty loss

The Bok pivot surpassed 800 Test points and once again underlined his value to Erasmus heading into back-to-back away Tests against the All Blacks.

Erasmus said the Wallabies outside backs were pacy and elusive and believed the match was a good “dry run” for what was to come in New Zealand.

The Springboks will take a 36-man squad on tour for the New Zealand leg of their competition with Tests against the All Blacks in Auckland and Wellington.

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Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images