Hendre Pollard, the number 10 player for the Springboks national team, explained that internal competition from rising South African stars is the reason for his longevity in sports. This two-time World Cup winner, who debuted at the age of 20 in 2014, has experienced the full spectrum of international rugby, from heavy defeats to Springboks victories in two consecutive Webb Ellis Cup tournaments.
Currently, as a 32-year-old player, Pollard is focused on one main goal: helping the Springboks achieve an unprecedented triumph at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. With the emergence of players like Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Mani Leibbok, who regularly feature in major Springboks matches, Pollard has moved to a secondary role in the squad.
Nevertheless, the veteran insists on his desire to contribute to the Boks' cause and be selected for the next World Cup. He stated to the media this week that the ambition to play in the next World Cup is the pinnacle of their game, and achieving this goal requires playing quality rugby over the next twelve months.
This journey begins Sunday morning when Pollard joins the significantly changed Springboks squad to face the Wallabies in Perth. It will be his first start in the Springboks jersey after being unable to participate in the 'Great Rugby Rivalry' series against the All Blacks due to a calf injury during training.
At the time, head coach Rassie Erasmus noted the veteran's emotional state following this setback. Pollard attributed the injury to the ground giving way under him while accelerating, causing him to strain his calf too severely. Although he knew the injury was not serious, he understood it could rule him out of the entire rivalry series, which was disappointing.
Despite the setback and the passage of time, Pollard's drive remains strong. The appearance of young talents like Feinberg-Mngomezulu has brought fresh energy to the flyhalf pool. Pollard welcomes this competitive dynamic as it helps him manage his body with the 2027 goal in mind.
Far from feeling threatened by the rapidly growing Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the veteran considers the internal struggle vital both for his own longevity and for the team's continued success. He noted that young players can be careless, but with age, they begin to understand the consequences of decisions on the field. He emphasized that rugby in test matches is always built on established elements, forward play, and good defense, and having young players striving for his spot is a very healthy stimulus for everyone to improve.
Coaching Feinberg-Mngomezulu under the pressure of test matches reminds Pollard of his early days. Pollard believes that mentorship comes naturally, but he stresses that true maturity in test matches is only achieved through hours on the field. He said that Sasha is incredibly talented, but only time will allow him to learn, as much playing in test matches is required to understand different styles, conditions, and teams.
Pollard concluded that as the Springboks team prepares for the 2027 World Cup, his combination of character in important matches and willingness to mentor the next generation ensures he will remain a cornerstone of South Africa's ambitions to win three consecutive titles.