This is hardly news any more, since Rich reported it a good few weeks ago… but for the naysayers who refused to believe the truth, I’m afraid Handre Pollard will indeed play for the Bulls next year and beyond.
Those who’ve been keeping an eye on the schoolboy rugby scene will know that this Paarl Gimnasium flyhalf really is the “bee’s knees”, a once-in-a-generation sort of talent who has been carving up the junior scene for a good few years. He was thrust into the limelight – and onto the radar of the rest of the rugby world – when surprisingly included in Dawie Theron’s SA Under 20 squad that went on to win the recent IRB Junior World Championship.
Despite still being a matric pupil, Pollard quickly leap-frogged 20-year-old Tony Jantjies and went on to play a starring role, at flyhalf, as the Junior Springboks surged to the trophy.
Details now emerging from the Bulls camp suggest that Pollard was identified by their scouts when he was still under 16 and that an agreement has been in place for a good two years. The timing of the official announcement has raised some eyebrows, though, just a week or so before Pollard dons Western Province colours (we assume for the last time) to lead the union’s Under 18 side at Craven Week.
With this news, the Bulls’ dominance of the junior contracting market is starting to reach frankly ludicrous proportions; in addition to a centre cupboard stocked with virtually every midfielder that has represented SA Schools over the last three years, they have signed arguably the three best young flyhalves, all of whom will compete for a place in the Bulls under 19 side next year.
Well, not really, though. Pollard, I’m sure, will play Super Rugby next year.
Tweet
I hope they don’t coach all the natural talent out of him.
@Pokkel (Comment 1) : Well said.
Good buy for the Bulls. Pollard better start practicing his up and unders
I’m a Bulls fan and I get worried when a talented flyhalf goes to the Bulls,is Jaco van der Walt confirmed?
Good timing letting this one out the bag, just before Craven Week, especially since his father said that they will reveal all AFTER Craven week.
Hardly think he’ll play any junior rugby,with the figures being thrown around,those have fast tracking written all over it
“Well, not really, though. Pollard, I’m sure, will play Super Rugby next year.”
He is also a sure thing for the Boks as well . He will be rotated with Goosen . Along with Saaie at 12
On a bit of a side note . Why is it that the future Boks stars keep getting season ending injuries (Goosen & Sadie)
Who are the other 2 flyhalve signed and where dothey come from? Fouche had better start looing elsewhere and Tony had better move to scrummy!
@ChrisS (Comment 8) : Josh Stander from Queens and and Jaco vd Walt from Monument
Sadie – future Bok 12?????????????? I don’t think so. Maybe Jan Serfontein in about 3 years but definately not Sadie.
@Viking (Comment 3) : This
@robdylan (Comment 9) : so Jaco is confirmed as well
@robdylan (Comment 9) : Thans Rob
@Ludz (Comment 12) : that’s what you told me?
@robdylan (Comment 14) : must’ve been Beet,not me Rob