Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard has been with Leicester Tigers since 2022, but his next career move remained unclear as he recently entered the final stages of his contract with the English club.

Even Pollard himself admitted he is not sure of the next step amid speculation linking him to a move to Japan, where he previously spent time with the Red Hurricanes.

Considering Pollard’s multi-million rand contract at Leicester, and high market value, it was expected that he would most likely remain overseas, with Tokyo Sungoliath said to have been leading the race for the 30-year-old’s services, which would pair him with Springbok teammate Cheslin Kolbe.

However, according to Media24, Pollard is now set to return to the Bulls – where he started out his professional career and racked up nearly 100 caps.

Previously it had been reported by Planet Rugby that Pollard could command a salary between R15 million and R20 million (around £640,000 and £860,000) a season, but he would almost certainly have accepted a pay cheque to rather return to South Africa.

Handre Pollard has been weighing up his future

With Leicester Tigers having effectively had to accept losing Pollard at the end of the season, it has been a point of conjecture for some time where he would end up next. 

“I have no idea,” Pollard replied to BBC Radio Leicester in December when asked where he will play next season.

“I can tell you the truth, 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.”

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/handre-pollard-poised-for-return-to-south-africa/