Springboks fly-half Handre Pollard is in hot demand, with his contract at Leicester Tigers expiring at the end of the season, according to reports.
The double Rugby World Cup-winning number ten admitted in December last year that he did not know what he was doing beyond this season or where he would be going.
He will not be short on options, however, as a whopping ten teams around the world are reportedly interested in signing the experienced fly-half with Leicester still eager to keep him on their payroll.
Handre in hot demand
According to respected South African publication Rapport, as many as ten clubs are interested in signing the 30-year-old pivot who could command a salary between R15 million and R20 million (around £640 000 and £860 000) a season.
At least four Japanese clubs are in search of a world-class fly-half ahead of next season’s Japan Rugby League One season with the report stating that some of them are specifically interested in Pollard and have the means to pay a salary that other teams would struggle to match.
Pollard’s future beyond this season has been speculated for a few months now with SportsMail reporting back in October last year that Cheslin Kolbe’s club Suntory Sungoliath were “one of the leading suitors” to secure his services.
The Japanese club have a history of signing world-class fly-halves having previously signed the likes of Matt Giteau, Beauden Barrett, Nicolas Sanchez, Beauden Barrett and Gareth Anscombe.
While rugby players’ salaries are never disclosed, it is understood that Pollard is currently one of the top 15 highest-paid players, earning around £650 000 per season, having taken a pay cut to join the Premiership side from Montpellier.
His next contract could see him close the gap on the likes of Owen Farrell, Finn Russell, Cheslin Kolbe and Faf de Klerk who are rumoured to be on around £900 000 and £1 million per season.
Rapport states that even some of the ‘big’ South African teams have made inquiries about Pollard’s future plans. The publication did not namecheck any unions, but it is most likely the Sharks, Bulls and possibly the Stormers.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have reportedly re-opened talks with Willie Le Roux who is understood to have turned down the option to extend his contract beyond this season. The Pretoria-based team have plans for Le Roux to shift to fly-half next season if he does opt to remain with the side.
“I have no idea,” the 80-Test Springbok told BBC Radio Leicester when asked where his future lies in December.
“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.
Handre Pollard: ‘I do not know yet what I’m doing or where I’m going’
Replacing Cheika
Meanwhile, Leicester have confirmed that former Wallabies boss Michael Chieka would depart the Premiership club at the end of the season and have begun the process to find his replacement.
Graham Rowntree, Felix Jones and Franco Smith have been linked with the position by the Telegraph who added that Jones is eager to remain in international rugby following his departure from the England coaching set-up.
Rapport confirms that Glasgow Warriors boss Smith has been contacted by Leicester Tigers who would need to buy a ‘huge fee’ to buy him out of his current contract.
Smith led the Warriors to United Rugby Championship glory last year beating the Bulls in the final and the former Springboks assistant has been tipped to return to the international stage possibly with Scotland if the Scottish Rugby Union opt not to extend the contact of current head coach Gregor Townsend’s beyond the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/handre-pollard-could-climb-rugbys-highest-paid-list-as-ten-clubs-compete-for-springboks-stars-services
