Pollard opens up on training ground injury that kept him out of RGR tour

Pollard was due to start the Test in Cape Town before he was withdrawn from the team late on in the week due to injury.

"I sort of stepped away to accelerate and the pitch slipped, which happens from time to time," Pollard said.

"I probably put too much tension on my calf. I had a small calf tear. I knew it wasn't so serious, but I also knew it was probably going to keep me out for the rest of the series."

While the diagnosis was clear enough, what followed was harder for Pollard to stomach. He remained with the squad but was unable to take the field for the rest of the tour.

"It was such a great series to be a part of. We were still a part of it as a squad, but of course couldn't contribute on the field," he explained.

"I think that's where the emotion came from. We all worked hard and we were all very excited. But hey, that's life, that's rugby, and, as they say, sh*t happens."

The setback prompted reflection on how his approach to the game has evolved as he has become a more experienced player, even if it hasn't changed much in practical terms.

"When you're young, you're very free and a bit careless, but you don't really understand the consequences of certain decisions you make on a rugby field," he said.

"As you get older, you realise those things. Test match rugby is always going to be built on set-piece, a kicking game and defence. My approach and my mentality haven't changed at all."

That same maturity shapes how he views the team's ongoing development.

"We're all still learning, even after all these years. Luckily for us, we're not learning while losing, and I think that's a very fortunate position to be in," he said.

"We've been on the other side, where it's not so nice to be learning and losing every second week."

Looking ahead, the World Cup remains the clear target for the Springboks as they look to become the first country in history to win the tournament three times in a row.

"It's the pinnacle of our game. We have to play good rugby for the next 12 months to give ourselves that opportunity," he added.