Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard is driven by a clear goal: helping steer the team toward an unprecedented Rugby World Cup three-peat in Australia in 2027. The 32-year-old Pollard has experienced the full spectrum of international rugby, from agonising lows to the pinnacle of kicking the Springboks to back-to-back Webb Ellis Cup triumphs. He remains committed to contributing to the Boks' cause and making the squad for the next World Cup.
Pollard has had to take a back seat in the team following the emergence of flyhalves such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok. Despite this, he still has a burning desire to play at the next World Cup. "You don't run onto a rugby field every day if you don't have ambitions to play at the next World Cup," Pollard said. "It's the pinnacle of our game and it's something we put a lot of value on."
Pollard's journey to the 2027 World Cup starts on Sunday morning when he will be part of a much-changed Springbok line-up to take on the Wallabies in Perth. This will be his first start in a Springbok jersey for a while, after a freak calf injury in training ruled him out of the second, third and fourth Tests against the All Blacks.
The veteran pivot was visibly emotional following the setback, a testament to how much representing his country still means to him. "It was unfortunate, just sort of an accident," Pollard explained. "I stepped away to accelerate and the pitch sort of gave way under me ... I put a bit too much tension on my calf."
Despite the setback and the relentless march of time, Pollard's hunger remains unsated. The arrival of dynamic young talents like Feinberg-Mngomezulu has injected fresh energy into the squad's flyhalf stocks, a competitive dynamic Pollard welcomes as he manages his body towards 2027.
Far from feeling threatened by Feinberg-Mngomezulu's meteoric rise, Pollard sees the internal push as vital for his own longevity and the team's ongoing success. "Having those younger guys trying to take your spot and vice versa — that internal competition is a very healthy thing," he said. "It motivates everybody to be better."
Pollard's combination of big-match temperament and willingness to mentor the next generation ensures he remains a cornerstone of South Africa's three-peat ambitions. He stresses that true Test maturity only comes with minutes on the pitch. "Sacha is an incredibly talented rugby player, but only time can allow you to learn," Pollard said.
Key points
- Handre Pollard is driven to contribute to the Springboks' cause and make the squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
- Pollard welcomes the internal competition with emerging flyhalves as vital for his own longevity and the team's ongoing success.
- He stresses that true Test maturity only comes with minutes on the pitch.
