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I’m just a rank-and-file Bok, not an on-field team general, says Handré Pollard

I’m just a rank-and-file Bok, not an on-field team general, says Handré Pollard
Handre Pollard of South Africa kicks the ball during the Rugby World Cup 2023 semi final match between England and South Africa at Stade de France on October 21, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini / Gallo Images)
Craig Ray
By Craig Ray
4 Jul 2024
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Handré Pollard will lead the Boks’ line against Ireland at Loftus on Saturday, happy to take on the pressure yet reluctant to accept the moniker of ‘team general’.

Flyhalf Handré Pollard seemed genuinely surprised when he was informed that new Springbok attack coach Tony Brown would like to see him attacking the gain line more often. 

Brown made the comments earlier in the week in the build-up to the first Test between the Boks and Ireland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. If Pollard had heard them, he made a good fist of concealing it. 

The reality is that anything Brown said publicly would have been relayed to Pollard long ago.

“When I watched him play under-20 rugby, he was the most dominant flyhalf at the gain line in the world as a 20-year-old,” Brown said.

“If we can get him back to playing that sort of footy, that would be amazing.”

Pollard, when asked about the comments, appeared authentically surprised.

“Did he say that?” Pollard asked his inquisitor.

“I really enjoy Tony. He is a breath of fresh air. He thinks about the game a bit differently and if that means playing more on the gain line, that’s great. But we have our plans for this weekend. 

“I’m not going to get into the details, but the background Tony has and the teams he has worked for, probably means he has had to look for space in a different way than we are used to. 

“We [the Boks] have always used our strength and physicality to get us gain-line [dominance]. He sees it differently. We are at a point now where we can use different skill sets and not just be a one-dimensional, direct team to achieve that.

“Of course, we are never going away from our strengths, but the way he sees space and the way he sees our guys using our strengths in a way to create space for our outside backs is exciting.

“Against good defences like Ireland’s, it’s not always going to be the case, but if we can create more opportunities, it will be good for us.”

Handré Pollard of South Africa kicks the ball during the Rugby World Cup 2023 semifinal match between England and South Africa at Stade de France on 21 October 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo: Juan Jose Gasparini / Gallo Images)


Back at Loftus


Pollard is also looking forward to a return to his old Loftus Versfeld stomping ground — a place filled with many sunny memories for the pivot — when he leads the line against Ireland.

The two-time Rugby World Cup winner spent seven seasons at the Bulls at the time he established himself as South Africa’s premier flyhalf.

Pollard understands the positive energy a full Loftus could add to the Boks’ cause while also relishing the chance to play in one of rugby’s great arenas again.

“It’s lovely being back at Loftus, it’s a special place and I keep it close to my heart,” said Pollard. “I spent seven good years here and I love playing here. It’s one of the great stadiums in the world to play. It’s sold out, it’s going to be a special atmosphere.

“We definitely can’t just rock up and expect to win though. Home-ground advantage might depend on how much brandy the fans drink outside before the game,” he said with a laugh.

“Seriously though, we are really looking forward to it because it’s great to be back home. Loftus is a special place with a special vibe and it will be pretty hostile, which we enjoy.”

Ireland threats


The Boks have not beaten Ireland since 2016, losing all three contests in that time, including the pool clash at last year’s World Cup. 

The Boks were beaten 13-8 that day, with Manie Libbok and Faf de Klerk missing four kicks between them, which amounted to a possible 11 points.

Pollard didn’t play in that game at the Stade de France in Paris, having just rejoined the squad as a late call-up for the injured Malcolm Marx. But he watched from the sidelines and this week said he didn’t share the negativity that surrounded the defeat at the time.

“I thought the boys played very well that day; it was just unfortunate we didn’t convert all our opportunities,” said Pollard.

“We created a lot and didn’t take those opportunities to put them away, so credit to them, they’re a great side.

“It’s not a scar. I think we should take confidence out of that because we were so close that day and we’re back home now.

“The goalkicking is the goalkicking, which is a separate aspect of the game.

“We have to focus on playing well and giving ourselves opportunities. If we don’t do that, there won’t be any kicks for goal. 

“We know the opportunities are there — they were there in Paris that day as well. But we have to be more composed and try and get something out of every 22m entry we get.

“There aren’t going to be a lot of those. They will be few and far between for both teams, so when you get them you will have to be a lot more clinical.”

Ireland’s team is drawn largely from Leinster, one of the best club sides in the world.

While that offers the tourists great continuity and settled combinations, Pollard was cautious of taking the simplistic view that Leinster are somehow interchangeable with the Irish national team.

“Leinster is a great club, but Leinster is not Ireland,” said Pollard. “You’ve got to understand that. When those guys play for their country they go up another level. They also get the best players in the country to complement that Leinster group.

“The big thing is that they have their systems and structures in place and they play the game the way they want to play it. But the physicality goes to another level when they play for Ireland as opposed to Leinster. And that’s the same with us when we play for the Boks.”

Reluctant general 


Despite all his achievements, Pollard views himself as a rank-and-file member of the squad. He’s a natural leader and a part of the Boks’ official leadership group, but in a team where egos are encouraged to be left at the door, he does not elevate his status above others.

He looked embarrassed when a reporter asked him if he saw himself as the “general” in the Bok team.

“I see myself as a Springbok player who contributes to the team,” said Pollard. “Whatever people want to call me from the outside, I have no control over. In this team we are a bunch of Bok players together trying to do our best.

“Everybody has a massive role. My responsibility is to drive the team forward, make sure we play in the right areas and control the game. No player is more important than another. Rugby is no longer a 10-man game.” DM

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