Pollard still pulls strings, even if he’s not skipper anymore
The Bulls and Springbok pivot is anyway part of a bigger leadership group under Pote Human.
Handre Pollard of the Bulls during the Super Rugby match between Vodacom Bulls and Jaguares at Loftus Versfeld on July 07, 2018 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Johan Rynners/Gallo Images)
New Bulls coach Pote Human may have appointed lock Lood de Jager as the new captain for this year’s Super Rugby campaign, but that does not mean he is decommissioning flyhalf Handre Pollard from his leadership role.
Pollard, 24, capped 39 times for the Springboks, will still be a key leadership figure for the Bulls, especially since he will be responsible for driving the gameplan from the pivot position.
“I’m very happy for Lood because he is a great leader. But coach Pote has a very open mind and he’s given us all a lot of responsibility and we have a great leadership group, it definitely helps having Springboks like Schalk Brits, Duane Vermeulen and RG Snyman around me because Super Rugby is a very tough competition, you have to prepare very well in limited time and pitch up every weekend.
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“In terms of the game-plan, everyone was talking about playing more not that long ago, but now everyone seems to want to kick more and play less. But we’ll get the right blend. Every year there are a few changes but rugby stays the same. We’ll make adjustments where we feel it is necessary,” Pollard said at Loftus Versfeld.
The Bulls have a very demanding and high-pressure start to the competition, with their opening four matches being consecutive and crucial meetings with fellow South African Conference sides. After hosting the Springbok-laden Stormers in their opening fixture on February 16, they then travel to Argentina to take on the Jaguares, before returning to play the Lions at Ellis Park and then the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld.
“I think we’re feeling more belief than pressure. Not having a break in the first four weeks is not that big a thing, it really depends on the results and a schedule like that, a four-game stretch and then a bye, means if you win four on the trot then it’s great, but if you don’t then you want to reset. It will be awesome to get momentum though and those are massive games at the start.
“But a good start is not just about the first weekend. Last year we won the first game but then we went on a four-game losing streak. So we just want to build and get better with every game.
“There are guys with a lot of experience around us, so there’s a lot to learn from. Personally it’s just great to be back playing rugby after a good break away from the game in December – my head is cleaned out and my body is fresh,” Pollard said.
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