The race for the coveted Springbok No 10 jersey is tight, and veteran playmaker Handre Pollard says the competition keeps him on his toes.
At 30, Pollard has already established himself in Springbok folklore, guiding South Africa to back-to-back World Cup triumphs and amassing 77 caps across a golden era for the national team.
Arriving in Scotland for the start of a three-Test tour, Pollard steps onto the field as the second-highest points scorer in Bok history.
The Leicester Tigers flyhalf, however, is under no illusions about the challenges ahead. The rise of younger playmakers such as Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has intensified competition for the No 10 jersey.
Speaking in an interview with Planet Rugby, Pollard insisted that this surge of youthful talent has brought out the best in him, both as a player and as a leader.
“It’s a state of mind as much as anything,” Pollard told Planet Rugby. “Complacency is a killer in this game. We speak about it often, the importance of keep moving forward all the time, not staying in one place.
“So for me, and other older guys, it’s a very good thing to have the young guys coming through. It keeps everyone motivated and on their toes. And, to be honest, we learn from them just as much as they learn from us.
“They have been brought up with a whole different mindset to what we were brought up with. It keeps me excited. It keeps me driven.”
After years at the pinnacle of the game, Pollard said he remains committed to honing his craft and evolving his style.
“Of course the experience and stuff we know about the game we will always carry with us,” Pollard explained. “But the older you get the more open minded you’ve got to be to stuff, instead of doubling down with things you used to do.
“Keep that, and keep that to a high standard, but also see what these young boys are doing because, trust me, they’re doing unbelievable stuff.”
Pollard added that he values the energy and innovation that his younger teammates bring to the Springbok setup.
“These young guys push us hard,” he said. “They bring new things to the table. It’s brilliant and is something we relish.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
