The Bulls have confirmed that they have acquired the services of experienced Springboks fly-half and double Rugby World Cup winner Handre Pollard, who will join them 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 clubs reportedly involved in a bidding war to sign Pollard.
Pollard‘s started his professional career at the Bulls in 2013 and he will return to the United Rugby Championship outfit on an initial two-year contract which begins on July 1.
The 30-year-old, who was part of South Africa‘s side that won the U20 World Championship in Cape Town in 2012, left the Bulls for Top 14 club Montpelier in 2019 and is currently plying his trade in the Premiership with Leicester Tigers.
Pollard made 62 appearances during his previous stint with the Bulls, scoring 629 points, which included 11 tries, 119 penalties, 104 conversions and four drop goals.
‘It’s something I don’t take for granted’
“I am really grateful for this opportunity,” Pollard told the Bulls’ official website. “It’s something I don’t take for granted. Being able to come home after a great few years overseas, I’m beyond excited.
“I started my career at the Vodacom Bulls, and those six years played a massive role in the person and player I am today. This team and franchise have always had a special place in my heart, and I can’t see myself anywhere else in South Africa.”
He added that he is looking forward to one thing and that is: “Running out at Loftus again in front of the proud Vodacom Bulls supporters.”
As his current club prepares for a big weekend ahead as their season nears its climax, a thankful Pollard reassured the Leicrester fanbase of his commitment to the end of the 2024/25 season and thanked them for taking him in.
“Leicester Tigers, I’m extremely proud to be and have been a part of this club and group,” he said. “It was there of the most enjoyable seasons of my career, and I’ll be forever grateful to have been a Leicester Tiger.
Keen to end ‘time at Leicester Tigers on a high’
“There is still a lot of rugby to be played, and I’m excited to end the season and my time at Leicester Tigers on a high.”
Bulls chief executive Edgar Rathbone believes welcoming back a more experienced Pollard will be good for everyone at the Pretoria-based outfit.
“It is good to be welcoming Handre back to his home, a ground he has had great memories at and a place he knows very well because of his time here back then,” he said.
“He was a fan favourite back then, which left a lot of people sad when he left to expand his wings abroad. I am happy that today, we are able to bring him back and I am confident that it is to the delight of many South Africans that they will be able to see him back in the Vodacom Bulls shirt.
“He left us as a 24-year-old with so much to offer this game and returns six years more mature and seasoned with a lot of time under his belt.
“He had only 39 caps for the Boks, and now he boasts 80 international caps. He has a wealth of international club rugby experience, which will be great for us as we continue to settle and challenge for silverware in competitions against major European clubs.
“Pollard has invaluable experience, especially if you consider the average age of our group.”
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/springboks-star-handre-pollards-shock-united-rugby-championship-move-confirmed
