Handre Pollard To Leave Leicester Tigers & Rejoin Bulls In South Africa
Handre Pollard To Leave Leicester Tigers & Rejoin Bulls In South Africa
South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard will leave the Leicester Tigers at season’s end to rejoin Bulls, returning home after six years in Europe.
South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard will leave the Leicester Tigers at the end of the season to rejoin the Bulls in his home country, the club announced Saturday.
Pollard, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, signed with the Premiership side ahead of the 2022-2023 season and has since made 45 appearances, tallying 395 points. However, the 30-year-old cited family reasons and the opportunity to return to the club where he began his professional career as factors in his decision.
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"It was a hard decision to make, to leave Leicester Tigers, because I love this club and being a part of this group," Pollard said in a statement on the club’s website. "After a lot of thought, the opportunity to go home to South Africa after six years in Europe and to be able to return to the club where I began my career was one I felt was right for me and my family to take."
Pollard made his professional debut with Bulls in 2014 before spending a brief period with Japan’s NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes the following year. He later joined Montpellier in 2019, where he played before his move to Leicester.
The playmaker has been instrumental for South Africa, helping the Springboks claim World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023. He played a key role in the most recent final, scoring all of South Africa’s points in a tense 12-11 victory over New Zealand.
Despite announcing his departure, Pollard emphasized that his focus remains on Leicester for the remainder of the season.
"That's really all there is to say for now because I don't really want to start talking like this is already over," he said. "There is a lot of rugby to be played and a lot of time left for me at Leicester Tigers, which I am focused on finishing successfully."
Leicester sits fourth in the Premiership table, with Pollard expected to continue playing a key role until the campaign’s conclusion.
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