Handre Pollard, the South African fly-half, will leave Leicester Tigers at season’s end to rejoin his original club, the Bulls. He has made 45 appearances for Leicester since joining in 2022 and has cited family reasons and a desire to return home as factors driving his decision. Pollard will continue to compete with Leicester until the season concludes.
South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard is set to depart from Leicester Tigers at the conclusion of the current rugby season to rejoin the Bulls in his native South Africa. The two-time World Cup champion joined the Tigers prior to the 2022-23 season and has since participated in 45 matches, accumulating 395 points throughout his tenure at the club.
Pollard cited family considerations and the compelling opportunity to return to his original club, where his professional journey began in 2014, as key factors in his decision. He expressed his deep affection for Leicester Tigers, stating, “It was a hard decision to make, to leave Leicester Tigers, because I love this club and being a part of this group,” emphasizing that the choice was made after much contemplation.
Despite this announcement, Pollard is committed to completing the season with Leicester Tigers, who currently sit fourth in the Premiership standings. He conveyed his intention to focus on the remaining matches, reinforcing, “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.”
Having commenced his career with the Bulls in 2014, Pollard also had stints with Japanese team NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes in 2015 and French club Montpellier in 2019. His illustrious career includes World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023, where he played pivotal roles in crucial matches.
In summary, Handre Pollard’s departure from Leicester Tigers to rejoin the Bulls marks a significant transition in his career. His decision stems from personal reasons and a longing to return to his roots as a player. Despite this upcoming move, Pollard remains focused on contributing positively to Leicester’s remaining matches in the current season. Pollard’s history with both club and country highlights his outstanding contributions to rugby, further establishing him as a respected figure in the sport.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
