Biography

An architect and visionary on the field, Handre Pollard is evidence of what the right systems can produce if used correctly.

The Springbok flyhalf was scouted as a potential wonderkid just as he became a freshly-minted teenager. His talents, although budding, were not overestimated as he proved himself at every stage of his career.

The number 10’s story started in the 2007 Craven Week competition when he was selected as part of the Under-13 Western Province squad. After honing his craft at schooling level he was snatched by the Pretoria franchise, the Blue Bulls, for the 2013 season.

He spent much of his junior years in the Bulls squad appearing as an inside center before he finally settled at flyhalf. His kicking duties, however, followed him wherever he played.

Handre Pollard’s early career saw him lift the 2013 Varsity Cup, effect a 40 - 32 victory in his debut for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup with late conversions, and win the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship.

His performance in the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship won him the 2014 Young Player of the Year award. After the tournament he went on to make his first start at senior level against Scotland, helping his team bulldoze the opposition with a 55 - 6 victory. 

An incredible feat to accomplish at the age of 20 years old.

Yes, Handre Pollard’s early career was accolade upon accolade. But the road to greatness is nothing if not bumpy, and the flyhalf experienced this after coming back from a short stint in Japan.

After having a shoulder injury cleared, he tore his ACL in 2016. The combination of attending to both his shoulder and leg injury put him out for over a year.

His rehabilitation saw him come back with fire in his belly as he was chosen for the 2019 Rugby World Cup Springbok side. Handre Pollard  was the team’s leading point-scorer for the celebrated tournament.

The magic of his boot hauled in 22 points for the Springboks in the final against England and secured them the gold.

Since the number 10’s introduction to rugby, he has wanted nothing but to run out onto the international stage in green and gold. The wonderkid has done so, and brought gold home with him.