Springbok’s Handré Pollard’s future in doubt: Will he return to SA?
Handre Pollard Springbok
It’s been years since Springbok kicker Handré Pollard resided in South Africa, having taken his talents abroad.
The double World Cup winner has etched himself in Springbok folklore, taking over the fly-half reins midway through the 2023 World Cup and scoring that wonderful long-range kick in the dying minutes against England to reach the final.
After leaving the Blue Bulls, Pollard set his sights on Japan but only managed seven appearances for Red Hurricanes Osaka before enjoying substantial careers at Montpellier and his current club, Leicester Tigers.
Back to South Africa?
However, the Springbok marksman’s time in England appears to be running out.
“I have no idea,” was his answer when asked on BBC Radio Leicester about where he will play next season – the 30-year-old’s contract expires once the campaign concludes, and Leicester seem reluctant to offer an extension.
“I can tell you the truth,” he continued. “I do not know yet what I’m doing or where I’m going. I’m just happy being at Leicester and I will enjoy every minute I have here,
“I’m really enjoying playing and all the boys, everyone, is enjoying it, and you can’t underestimate how important that is.
“We have to play hard and be on it every week, but the enjoyment element of it is so important in a rugby group in a long season like we have these days.”
One could argue that returning to South Africa would be his red-carpet moment—the perfect finale to an already remarkable career. If he plays his cards right, it could even extend to the 2027 World Cup, when the Springboks might find themselves in need of a reliable kicker once more.
What it your favourite Pollard moment for the Springboks?
