Pollards set to return home: 'Hearts are so heavy'
The Springbok flyhalf has signed a contract with his old Pretoria team after playing abroad for the past five years.
On an Instagram Story, Marise Pollard revealed that their family would soon be leaving their UK home in Market Harborough. Handre and Marise have lived in the country for the past three years, where the rugby player was signed to Leicester Tigers.
With his contract ending, Handre has opted to return to South Africa to play for the Bulls.
He will mark his return on 1 July. Marise and Handre Pollard will return to South Africa.
Images via Instagram: @blue_bulls_official/ @marisepollard
'Our last week here, and my heart is heavy. Going to miss our life in Market Harborough so much', the pregnant rugby WAG shared on her account.
Marise, who gave birth to her first child in the UK, recently announced her second pregnancy and is likely hoping to settle back in SA as soon as possible.
This time around, the couple are expecting a baby girl, due at the end of October.
While Handre is undoubtedly a man of few words, Marise Pollard has often commented on their life and home in the UK.
In their classy abode, Marise revealed how the family incorporated elements of their South Africa into their second home. One was baby Hunter's safari-themed nursery. Another is a memory wall that boasts the coordinates of where the couple first met in Paarl and where they set up their first home together in Pretoria. The coordinates also revealed the locations of their home in France and the UK.
Marise added, 'South Africa will always be our home. But I'm so grateful to call the UK home as well. I love this country, I live our life here, and I love this chapter.
In another post, she shared of their winter wonderland abroad: 'We just love our little life on this side of the world.'
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
9 minutes ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs' transfers: Eight released, and six signed
This latest Kaizer Chiefs overhaul marks a clear statement of intent under head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who is injecting fresh energy into a team that has underperformed in recent Betway Premiership seasons. Following Bongani Sam's exit, Amakhosi marked its eighth departure, following six arrivals over the past 60 days. Below is a list of departed players and new faces, including Yusuf Maart, Tebogo Potsane, Paseka Mako, Flavio Silva, and Siphesihle Ndlovu. Kaizer Chiefs questioned on Sundowns-bound star Sabelo Radebe – central midfielder Njabulo Blom – defensive midfielder Ranga Chivaviro – striker Edmilson Dove – left-back Mduduzi Mdantsane – attacking midfielder Yusuf Maart – central midfielder Tebogo Potsane – winger Bongani Sam – left-back. Bafana midfielder: Orlando Pirates changed my life, but… In the meantime, Kaizer Chiefs are yet to confirm Edson Castillo's departure. Additionally, the club is said to be working on a few more signings: Asanele Velebayi – winger Luke Baartman – attacking midfielder Feisal Salum – central midfielder Lebogang Phiri – defensive midfielder. Thabiso Monyane – right-back Paseka Mako – left-back Nkanyiso Shinga – defender Ethan Chislett – attacking midfielder Flávio Silva – striker Siphesihle Ndlovu – central midfielder. Kaizer Chiefs' new signings are Flavio Silva, Ethan Chislett, and Nkanyiso Shinga. Image: kcofficial/X Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
9 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
Olivia Nel, Erin Gallagher power SA women to 4x100m medley relay record
Olivia Nel and Erin Gallagher powered the national women's 4x100m medley relay team to the African record in the morning heats at the world championships in Singapore on Sunday, combining with Rebecca Meder and Aimee Canny to second in their heat. They clocked 3min 59.47sec, just 11-100ths of a second behind the neutral athletes' combination who bagged the final eighth spot in the evening final. Meder, Gallagher and Canny were survivors of the team that set the previous 3:59.63 mark exactly three years to the day earlier at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. New-comer Nel went more than a second faster in the opening backstroke leg, completing the opening 100m in 1:00.33. Meder, switching from backstroke to breaststroke, touched in 1:07.63, which was understandably slower than the 1:05.56 effort in 2022 by Lara van Niekerk, who was in the form of her life at the time. Meder, who was laid low by a stomach bug earlier in the gala, is a 200m specialist, but she was still the fastest available 100m breaststroker. Then Gallagher smashed more than a second off her effort from three years ago as she completed the butterfly in 57.31. Canny narrowed the gap on the NAB combination considerably as she rounded off the effort with 54.20 in the freestyle. Had she matched her 53.80 from England the team would have become the first South African relay outfit to make an evening final at a world championships since 2011. From 2007 to 2011 five South African relay teams made world championship finals, all of them men's. The last time a South African women's team made a final at a major gala was in the 4x100m medley at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The Citizen
37 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Reddam House Bedfordview gymnast shines at international acro cup in Italy
Mackenzie Mackay, a Grade Eight learner at Reddam House Bedfordview, made her international debut at the Turin Acro Cup in Italy. This elite acrobatic gymnastics competition was held from July 11 to 13. Representing the Masters Gymnasts Club, Mackenzie formed part of a trio in the 12–18-year-old category. Their performances placed them second after their first two routines. This secured them a spot in the finals, which was the team's ultimate goal. 'It was my first time competing overseas, so I was excited but also nervous because I didn't know what to expect,' Mackenzie shared. ALSO READ: Bedfordview twins reach new heights in sport and academics 'But when I heard the crowd cheering for us, it calmed me down and helped me focus on what we had trained so hard to do.' The trio trained rigorously in the months leading up to the event, often six to seven days a week, fine-tuning routines under the guidance of their coach. 'I felt as prepared as we possibly could be, which gave us the confidence to perform,' she said. Mackenzie described the first two routines as her proudest moments. 'We were in second place after those, which was a huge milestone I never imagined reaching.' ALSO READ: Dunvegan Primary unveils new multi-purpose sports courts Although their final routine included a few stumbles, Mackenzie and her teammates stayed composed. 'We didn't give up or walk off. We carried on to the very end, and I'm extremely proud of that.' Beyond the competition floor, the trip offered valuable learning experiences. 'I loved meeting other gymnasts and seeing how they train. Watching and learning from them is something we don't often get to do back home.' She also enjoyed the food and the scenery, calling the trip 'an experience I'll never forget.' Mackenzie is one of only two South African recipients of the prestigious Nsouli Scholarship. This global initiative by Inspired Education Group supports outstanding students with full scholarships and mentorship. She credits her school and the scholarship with helping her balance academics and gymnastics. 'Reddam House has given me the time and support to focus on gymnastics. Everyone's been incredibly encouraging throughout this journey.' Looking ahead, Mackenzie and her team are already preparing for next year's world event. She also plans to speak at her school assembly to share her experience. 'I hope it inspires others to follow their dreams too.' Her advice to young athletes: 'Work hard and chase your dreams, because anything is possible as long as you give your best.'
