Handré Pollard is a hero to many Springbok fans for his incredible goal-kicking in last year’s Rugby World Cup.
But the Bok No 10 actually began his career as a running flyhalf who took on defences with ball in hand.
His trademark move was to dummy-pass to the inside and take the outside gap, and he scored some fine tries in that way – most notably against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in 2014, and Scotland at Murrayfield in 2018.
But, of course, his unerring boot has taken him a long way in Test rugby, with his deadly accuracy playing a major part in both the 2019 and 2023 World Cup triumphs.
Pollard is poised to overtake Morné Steyn as the third-highest Bok points-scorer in Saturday’s Rugby Championship showdown with Argentina in Santiago del Estero (11pm start, SA time).
The Paarl Gym product is on 739 points, just three behind Steyn, having slotted 163 penalties, 100 conversions, five drop goals and dotted down seven times in 75 Tests – an incredible record since his debut as a 20-year-old in 2014 against Scotland in Gqeberha.
The emergence of attacking talents Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok at flyhalf in recent seasons, though, has placed the spotlight on Pollard and whether he can also be part of the Bok ‘evolution’ with ball in hand that started this year under new assistant coach Tony Brown.
Now 30 and vice-captain for Saturday’s Test, the man himself is embracing the challenge. “We’ve enjoyed it a lot. It’s been good, it’s been fresh. We had a great foundation, and Tony’s just come in and just like taken it to the next level,” Pollard said from Argentina this week.
“Of course, the process is still going to take some time to get it to where we want it to be.
“But he’s just unlocked new skill-sets all over the field ... Forwards using some more skill than they used to, and not just running straight lines.
“It’s really fun, and I think that there are so many opportunities for us now and the more we can create space for those outside backs that we have – probably the best outside backs in the world – the better.
“But, of course, there will be little opportunities here and there where we can also express ourselves through the middle of the pitch. But in general, Tony’s been brilliant, and we’ve really enjoyed working with him.”
Asked about being a mentor to the likes of Feinberg-Mngomezulu and other youngsters in the Bok set-up as a senior player, Pollard quipped: “Jissie, I’m not that old, hey! It’s fun, man. They are eager to learn, which is nice. Just like when we were young, guys helped us.
“The good thing is that there is healthy competition in the group, in every single position, which is nice. But we’ve all got the same goal, which is bigger than the individual.
“So, it’s nice. If we can help the young guys with one or two things, great. We are certainly learning a lot from them as well, as older guys, you know.
“We always try to develop and stay fresh, and try new things – and the new guys bring that. It’s enjoyable, it’s competitive and it’s really good.”
Pollard’s growth will continue this weekend as coach Rassie Erasmus said that he may move to inside centre in the second half when Libbok comes on.
The former Junior Bok captain doesn’t mind trying out new things, as it’s all part of creating the best possible squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia – although the South Africans can clinch the Rugby Championship title on Saturday as well.
“What’s so special this time around is that we actually have the whole four-year cycle. Of course, the last time we won the World Cup (in 2019), we lost out on the first couple of years (because of Covid-19),” Pollard said.
“I think those first two years are where you really build and experiment and try new things, and you can see it in our game – with Tony and Jerry (Flannery, defence coach) and the new guys coming in.
“It’s really exciting. Every week is a new challenge. We take it week by week, but we know there is a bigger plan going forward.
“But honestly, to play with the young guys these days ... I think it really excites because we are in a really good space.
“But we always want more ... We always want to become better, and we always want to take it up to another level. So, the excitement is certainly there.”