South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard told Sports Mole this evening that his drop goal in the Rugby World Cup Pool B contest against Scotland was his call.
Three of Pollard's 19 points in Newcastle arrived shortly after Scotland had scored their one and only try and his kick restored the Springboks' double-digit lead before they ended up winning 34-16 at St James' Park.
Pollard, whose kick was the third drop goal of the tournament, felt that it was just what his team needed at the time.
"When we were standing behind the posts (while Scotland took their conversion) we just said let's put some more points on the board and get back some momentum," Blue Bulls man Pollard said.
"It was my call (to go for the drop goal). It's something we've been working on. Drop goals can be important in Rugby World Cups and we're glad it worked out tonight."
Scotland number-eight David Denton told SM that he had never struggled as much in a game before and Pollard felt South Africa were "brilliant" defensively.
"There's always stuff to work on, but defensively I thought we were brilliant tonight," he added. "We got really stuck in, but I think on attack we can show much more composure and much more patience."
South Africa's victory took them top of Pool B ahead of their final match against USA on Wednesday at the Olympic Stadium. They are not yet through to the quarter-finals, but if they progress as expected they will face either Wales or Australia after the latter knocked hosts England out of the tournament.
Pascal Lemesre
