Springbok Handre Pollard's career set to go full circle

Handre Pollard is set to return to the Bulls, where his professional club career began back in 2013, at the end of this season.

According to News24, the two-time World Cup winner is heading home once his commitments with Leicester are over.

The 30-year-old joined Leicester from Montpellier ahead of the 2022/23 season and is approaching 50 appearances for the club.

His contract expires in June and the Bulls have fought off competition from elsewhere to bring the prolific goal kicker back to Pretoria.

Another Springbok veteran, Willie le Roux, is set to have a run of games out of position in the number 10 jersey, and while Bulls coach Jake White has backed the 35-year-old to do a job there, signing Pollard would be a longer-term solution to what has been a problem area for the URC side.

According to the report, Pollard’s contract value is worth around £650,000, matching what he is thought to be on per season at Leicester.

Back in December, the 80-cap veteran admitted he was unsure about his future at Welford Road. He told BBC Radio Leicester: “I can tell you the truth, I do not know yet what I’m doing or where I’m going. I’m just happy being at Leicester and I will enjoy every minute I have here. I’m sure my agent is having discussions, but it’s nothing with me. I’m not involved in those yet, but we’ll see.”

With Leicester set for yet another change of coach, no signings have been announced yet for the 2025/26 season. But it seems certain that a new fly-half will be top of their wanted list. Scarlets No10 Sam Costelow and overseas-based pair, Jacob Umaga and Sam Simmonds, have been mentioned as possible targets.

Former Tigers flanker Paul Gustard, who is currently at Stade Francais, is the frontrunner to replace Michael Cheika in the Tigers hot-seat.