Handre Pollard

Handre Pollard, a two-time Rugby World Cup champion, is a decorated South African professional rugby union player renowned for his pivotal role as a fly-half and inside-center for the Springboks and various club teams. Pollard showcased early leadership, captaining the SA Schools Under-18 side in both 2011 and 2012. He further solidified his emerging talent by winning the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship with the South Africa Under-20 team. Pollard made his provincial debut with the Blue Bulls in 2013, quickly establishing himself in the Varsity Cup and Vodacom Cup competitions.

His robust performances led to his Super Rugby debut with the Bulls in 2014, where he consistently contributed significant points. Pollard expanded his professional experience with an international stint at NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Osaka in Japan from 2015 to 2016, a period during which he also extended his contract with the Blue Bulls until the end of the 2019 season. After a significant knee ligament injury sidelined him for most of 2016, he made a strong return, later joining Montpellier Hérault Rugby in France in 2019. During his tenure until 2022, Pollard was an integral part of the team that secured Montpellier’s first-ever Top 14 title in 2022.

Pollard continued to be a central figure in their subsequent Rugby World Cup victory in 2023, notably scoring all points for South Africa in the decisive final match. His consistent prowess has resulted in a remarkable 815 points across 85 caps for South Africa. Currently, Pollard remains a crucial player for the Leicester Tigers, with a planned return to the Bulls in 2025. His career trajectory demonstrates an unparalleled ability to influence major championships, both domestically and internationally, solidifying his status as one of rugby’s most influential and marketable figures.