Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said Handre Pollard's return to the team for the Tonga game in Marseille on Sunday covered more than just a kicking base.
Pollard will be playing in his first Test in 13 months, with knee and calf injuries ruling him out of Test action at various times.
Pollard, who last played for the Boks against Australia in Adelaide last year, will be starting at 10 for Sunday's game against Tonga at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille. Stick said Pollard has always remained an integral part of their setup and he'll be invaluable going forward. "Leadership is one of the strengths in our squad and even if a guy like Bongi Mbonambi is not on the pitch, there are guys like Duane Vermeulen and Eben Etzebeth who have led the team before in the past two seasons."We rotate the leadership among the players, but having Handre back is massive for our squad, even though it's said we don't have Malcolm here.
"I know there was a focus on goalkicking, but Handre has done the job for us in the past, with the Wales game being an example of his kicking excellence."Also, if you're going to play against the top teams and you don't capitalise on your chances, you may end up on the wrong side of the scoreboard.