Whatever his role may be, two-time World Cup-winning playmaker Handre Pollard has set his sights on helping the Springboks defend the Webb Ellis Cup in 2027.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with Sunday newspaper Rapport, the 30-year-old addressed his injury troubles over the years while acknowledging the rise of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as a challenger at flyhalf.
With a career marked by severe knee issues in 2016 and 2020, and a near-fatal shoulder complication, Pollard’s resilience has been repeatedly tested.
“Disappointments come everyone’s way. It’s about how you react to it. You can’t hang your head; you have to fight back,” he told Rapport.
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Despite these setbacks, Pollard remains a pivotal figure in the Bok setup, and has embraced a mentorship role, particularly with Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
“He is young and has incredible talent. We try to help him feel comfortable in the group. He’s going to make mistakes and do brilliant things… It’s our duty to look after him,” Pollard says, underscoring his commitment to nurturing the next generation.
Pollard also remains flexible about his role in the team, expressing a willingness to adapt to playing at inside centre if needed.
“If it’s a role I need to fill, I definitely will… I don’t care if it’s at 10 or 12, as long as I can contribute to the team,” he asserts.
Looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup, Pollard’s drive is undiminished: “The drive is there, more than ever… You want the Boks to win. That’s the focus of every guy here. This group still has a lot to achieve.”
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter
The post Polly wants a crack at RWC three-peat appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
