Latest news with #Handre
The South African
22-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Handre Pollard comes home, gears up for Bulls, Boks games
Handre Pollard has finally returned to South Africa, where he will be gearing up to join the rest of the Springbok squad and return to his home club, the Bulls. The flyhalf has been living and playing abroad for the last 5 years. He officially ended his season with Leicester Tigers last week, after he joined the UK club in 2022. On Instagram, Handre Pollard's pregnant wife revealed that he had finally returned to South Africa. The family – who are expecting their second child – are currently living with fellow Springbok RG Snyman and his wife, Saskia, at their Paarl home. Handre's contract with the Bulls kicks off on 1 July. This week, he will report for duty with the Springboks as they gear up for their July test series. Handre Pollard reunites with his son Hunter in Paarl. Image via Instagram: @marisepollard Meanwhile, fellow Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has praised Handre Pollard for his achievements in national rugby. He told the media: 'I know Handre is the GOAT, he's No 1. Handre has led us to two World Cup titles. That in itself is a statement. The calmness he brings to the group and the impact he has is unparalleled. It gives him GOAT status.' Sacha added that while he, Handre Pollard, and fellow Bok Mannie Libbok all hoped to don the number 10 jersey, there was no 'hierarchy' within the national squad. He continued: 'We don't really have a ranking, and we don't necessarily know what the planning looks like for the whole year in terms of who's going to play when. Who plays depends on the opponents and the game plan. It's nice because there's no hierarchy.' 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.
The South African
08-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Handre Pollard set for final game abroad before SA return
Handre Pollard is likely hoping for a last sweet victory as he plays his final game with Leicester Tigers next weekend. Just a few days later, the famous flyhalf will officially take up his post with the Bulls. The fly-half's UK club will clash against Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership finals on Saturday, 14 June. On the same day, the Bulls will also play for a title – in the URC Grand Final – against Leinster. Over the weekend, Handre Pollard played his final home game with Leicester Tigers at their Mattioli Woods Welford Stadium. Next weekend, the Springbok star will head to Twickenham for his final game with the club. Handre is likely hoping to help his team clinch a bittersweet victory against Sale Sharks for the Gallagher Premiership title. A fortnight later, Handre returns to his home club, the Bulls, where he made his professional debut. The 31-year-old, his pregnant wife Marise, and their son will soon call Pretoria their new home. In 2022, Handre Pollard signed a R14 million-a-year contract with Leicester Tigers. This secured his spot as one of SA's highest-paid rugby players. But will he take a pay cut or earn the same at the Bulls? According to Planet Rugby, the veteran player is likely to earn 'two or three times more' than the average Springbok [around R7million a year]. He is expected to receive the same salary bracket as his club abroad and in the league of big-name Boks like Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, and Siya Kolisi. Handre's earnings will not come from the club but from the Player of National Interest (PONI) contracts that SA Rugby pays. 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.
The South African
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
'Crying!': Pollards pack up, ready to return home
It's the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for Marise and Handre Pollard as they pack up their life in the UK, where the rugby star has played for Leicester Tigers for the past three years. The Springbok fly-half will return to South Africa, where he will return to his home club of the Bulls, next month. On her Instagram account, Marise Pollard – who is pregnant with her second child – revealed that she had attended her final Leicester Tigers game. 'My heart is heavy. Leicester Tigers is such a special club, and it's been a massive privilege to be part of this family. Grateful is an understatement.' In an Instagram Story, the rugby WAG revealed that she had been 'crying' over the big move' In another post, Marise – a qualified teacher – appeared more upbeat. 'All packed and ready to move!' she captioned a happy snap. It's not goodbye just yet for Leicester Tigers as Handre Pollard is expected to play in their Gallagher Premiership semi-final match against Sale Sharks on Saturday, 7 June. Handre will rejoin his old club of the Bulls on 1 July. In 2022, Handre signed a R14 million-a-year contract with the English club Leicester Tigers. This secured his spot as one of SA's highest-paid rugby players. But will he take a pay cut or earn the same at the Bulls? According to Planet Rugby, the veteran player is likely to earn 'two or three times more' than the average Springbok [around R7million a year]. He is expected to receive the same salary bracket as his club abroad and in the league of big-name Boks like Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, and Siya Kolisi. Handre's earnings will not come from the club but from the Player of National Interest (PONI) contracts that SA Rugby pays. 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.
The South African
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Pollards set to return home: 'Hearts are so heavy'
Handre Pollard and his pregnant wife Marise are gearing up to head back to South Africa ahead of his return to the Bulls in a few weeks. 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.
The South African
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
'Best year': Handre Pollard's son turns one!
Marise Pollard, the wife of Springboks fly-half Handre Pollard, took to Instagram to celebrate their son turning one, via an Instagram post on Friday 25 April. Hunter Andre Pollard is officially one! Proud parents Handre and Marise Pollard took to Instagram to celebrate their son's first milestone birthday as he turned one year old on Friday 25 April. Marise expressed that this has been the best year of their lives. 'Congratulations on your FIRST birthday our sunshine boy ☀️💛 Thank you for the best year of our lives. You came to change us, forever in the best way possible. It's the best thing in the world to be your mom and dad, we love you incredibly,' she wrote. Marise also revealed that they celebrated Hunter's first birthday in the UK along with their friends. Handre and Marise moved to the UK as Handre signed a R14 million a year contract with Leicester Tigers in 2022. 'We got to celebrate Hunter's first & Milan's 2nd birthday together yesterday with our friends on this side of the world. We are beyond grateful for you guys and feel so blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives ☀️,' she continued. Take a look at the post here. Handre and Marise now live in the town of Market Harborough, in England. The Springboks fly-half hails from Somerset West in the Western Cape. Marise was raised on a farm, Bloemendal in the Eastern Cape. The pair brought Hunter to South Africa last year, where they stayed for a few months before returning to the UK. 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.
