Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus strongly supports Handré Pollard. He has dismissed recent media and fan criticism surrounding the flyhalf’s poor form during the Vodacom Bulls’ tight United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final against the Glasgow Warriors and their 7–36 final defeat to Leinster.
Proving his continued trust, Erasmus named Pollard as one of three specialist flyhalves in his 46-man squad for the upcoming Nations Championship, alongside Manie Libbok and uncapped prospect Vusi Moyo.
Erasmus backed his double World Cup-winning playmaker, saying that Pollard always delivers when reintegrated into the Springboks national team environment.
“Handré didn’t exactly set the world alight for the Bulls, but he has never let us down. A lot of people are talking, but we know what Handré can do.”
“It’s difficult to point fingers at someone while he’s playing for his franchise and you haven’t worked with him for a while.”
“You don’t have a full view of the environment.”
“Why would he suddenly become a poor player? Is there an injury? No, there isn’t, so perhaps he’s just had a week or two where he wasn’t exceptional.”