Bulls fly-half Johan Goosen is looking forward to being on the same side as fellow Springboks playmaker Handre Pollard when he joins the Pretoria-based outfit.
It was confirmed last month that Pollard, who is currently plying his trade in the Premiership with Leicester Tigers, will return to the Bulls at the end of the current season.
The move was a surprising one as a Japanese club was expected to be his next destination, and there were up to 10 teams reportedly involved in a bidding war to sign Pollard.
However, he opted to sign an initial two-year contract with the Bulls, which begins on July 1.
Pollard’s previous stint with the men from Pretoria was from 2013 to 2019 before he joined Top 14 club Montpellier, where Goosen was one of his team-mates.
And although both players will be vying for the Bulls’ number 10 jersey when Pollard arrives, Goosen is excited to reconnect with Pollard.
‘It’s just a positive for the Bulls’
“I’ve played with Pollie at Montpellier for three seasons. He’s obviously won two World Cups… Good player, great signing for the Bulls. It’s just a positive for the Bulls,” said Goosen.
“In terms of my contract, I’ve still got one more season left at the Bulls, so I’m just taking it day by day, and be the best that I can be for the team.”
The 32-year-old spent a large chunk of the season on the sidelines due to a knee injury but returned to action during the latter stages of the Bulls’ 32-22 victory over Bayonne in their Challenge Cup round of 16 clash last weekend.
The Bulls will be back in action against Edinburgh in their Challenge Cup quarter-final at Hive Stadium.
Feels he can still improve on his fitness
Although he slotted a penalty in that win over Bayonne, Goosen feels he still has some way to go before he is fully fit again.
“I’ve been through this, and I must say, it’s been tough. This time was very tough for me,” he admitted.
“I’ve still got a bit of pain, but I must say that the coaches are managing me well, and I’m just happy to wear the jersey again, and got that 10 or 15 minutes at the weekend.
“I’m old! It’s getting there. They are managing me quite well, in the training sessions and with the physios.
“So, maybe a week or two, and hopefully the pain will be better and I will be fine.”
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/johan-goosen-gives-forthright-verdict-on-handre-pollards-return-to-the-bulls
