Handré Pollard Springbok star Handré Pollard has signed for the Bulls. Graphic: Vodacom Bulls
Image: Vodacom Bulls
“This team and franchise have always had a special place in my heart, and I can’t see myself anywhere else in South Africa.” That was how Handré Pollard described the reason for his decision to rejoin the Bulls, as the franchise officially announced his return to Pretoria on Saturday.
The Springbok maestro will play out of Loftus Versfeld next season, after concluding his current deal with English club Leicester Tigers, and will be back in Pretoria from July 1 on an initial two-year deal.
Reports of his imminent signing for the Bulls circulated on Friday, and now the Bulls confirmed the good news – just in time ahead of Saturday’s massive United Rugby Championship clash against the Stormers at Loftus (5pm kick-off).
“I am really grateful for this opportunity,” Pollard said on the Bulls website.
“It’s something I don’t take for granted. Being able to come home after a great few years overseas, I’m beyond excited.
“I started my career at the Vodacom Bulls, and those six years played a massive role in the person and player I am today.
“This team and franchise have always had a special place in my heart, and I can’t see myself anywhere else in South Africa.
“Running out at Loftus again in front of the proud Vodacom Bulls supporters.
“Leicester Tigers, I’m extremely proud to be and have been a part of this club and group.
“It was three of the most enjoyable seasons of my career, and I’ll be forever grateful to have been a Leicester Tiger. There is still a lot of rugby to be played, and I’m excited to end the season and my time at Leicester Tigers on a high.”
Pollard joined the Bulls in 2013 after finishing school at Paarl Gimnasium, and the 30-year old made 62 professional appearances in his six years in Pretoria, scoring 629 points, including 11 tries, 119 penalties, 104 conversions and four drop goals.
He then went to Montpellier in 2019 before joining Leicester in 2022.
Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone was elated with securing Pollard’s signature, as the Springbok flyhalf had numerous offers from many clubs around the world.
“It is good to be welcoming Handré back to his home, a ground he has had great memories at and a place he knows very well because of his time here back then.
“He was a fan favourite back then, which left a lot of people sad when he left to expand his wings abroad. I am happy that today, we are able to bring him back and I am confident that it is to the delight of many South Africans that they will be able to see him back in the Vodacom Bulls shirt.
“He left us as a 24-year-old with so much to offer this game and returns six years more mature and seasoned with a lot of time under his belt.
“He had only 39 caps for the Boks, and now he boasts 80 international caps. He has a wealth of international club rugby experience, which will be great for us as we continue to settle and challenge for silverware in competitions against major European clubs.
“Pollard has invaluable experience, especially if you consider the average age of our group.”