Handrè Pollard, the South African stand-off, boasts a soothing sophistication, is articulate and considered; in conversations, his wit and modesty make him quite captivating. As a previous Under-20 global player of the year in his third tenure with the team, his accomplishments include two World Cups and a Lions series, leading his homeland, and a distinguished reputation as a place-kicker. This Saturday, the 30-year-old Leicester Tigers playmaster is set to return to Loftus Versfeld, his former playground for seven years with the Bulls, planning to lead the Springboks to victory against their recent adversaries, Ireland.
A touch of nostalgia flashed on his face when queried about his homecoming to his cherished homeland in South Africa. His sentiment: “Revisiting Loftus is a delight, it’s a distinctive spot that I hold dear. The Bulls and I shared seven splendid years here and I relish playing in this stadium. It’s among the world’s finest arenas. It’s fully booked, the atmosphere will be extraordinary.
“Clearly, we can’t simply show up and anticipate a victory. Home-field advantage hinges on the pre-game brandy intake of our supporters. We’re genuinely excited as it feels good to be home.
“Loftus holds a unique ambience and will likely be quite antagonistic, which we revel in. However, that doesn’t guarantee a win. We have to work for it.
“The morale within our team is positive. Our training and preparation have been intensive. Regarding overcoming Ireland, we certainly want to end the losing streak, but it’s not the primary motivation, and we aren’t overstating its importance.
“We’ll delve into that topic in more depth on Friday. For now, our concentration remains on the tactical and technical plans enabling us to secure a rugby win.”
Pollard wasn’t involved in South Africa’s World Cup loss to Ireland, but his reflection on the missed opportunities during the game showed composure. “The attempt for goals is, well, just that – a separate segment of the game.”
Emphasising the importance of delivering strong performance and creating scoring chances, the Springboks are preparing for a challenging game. Noting the scarcity of such opportunities during the game, the team’s focus is on being precise and effective when they occur. Tony Brown, who recently joined the Springboks as a new backs coach, has advised Pollard to channel his energetic 2014 style, characterised by strategic passing and skilled manoeuvring.
Caught off guard by the comments, Pollard responded positively to Brown’s advice, affirming his commitment to the upcoming plans for the game. Even though Johnny Sexton has retired, his legacy remains a topic of conversation, especially in relation to recent games involving the team. When the subject arose, Pollard primarily focused on his upcoming rival, Munster’s Jack Crowley, praising his talent.
He remarked on Crowley’s ability to play Sexton’s role successfully and control the game well, identifying him as a significant threat. Furthermore, he commented on his familiarity with several players from the Ireland team, having played with them since their under-20 years, including Tadhg Beirne, Tadhg Furlong, Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose.
In a more contemporary setting, he took to the field as a Tiger battling against Leinster in the Champions Cup. He was probed about the disparity between the European finalists and Ireland, particularly given that a significant number of Farrell’s team members originated from Ireland. Pollard responded with a firm shake of his head, elucidating that despite Leinster’s notable prowess, comparing it to Ireland would be like comparing apples to oranges. He emphasised that the calibre escalates significantly when these players represent their own country. Moreover, the finest talent from across the country enhances the Leinster group during national Championships.
A crucial point lies in the fact that these teams have their respective strategies and methodologies already set up, enabling them to manifest their desired style of play. However, the intensity scales up noticeably when juxtaposed with Ireland as opposed to Leinster. The scenario is identical when they compete for the Boks. His concluding thought truly piques interest for the forthcoming events.