Former England and Lions star Anthony Watson insists that people are too quick to write off Handre Pollard and wouldn\u2019t be surprised if he is the main man for the Springboks at the next Rugby World Cup.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 31-year-old is a double Rugby World Cup winner and started both of those finals in the victories over England (2019) and the All Blacks (2023).<\/p>\n
His place-kicking was particularly vital as he scored 22 points in the 32-12 triumph over the Red Rose and all 12 in their success over New Zealand four years later.<\/p>\n
However, it appears that many have been quick to underplay what Pollard<\/a> has brought to South African<\/a> rugby during his career.<\/p>\n Played together at Leicester<\/p>\n But Watson, who played alongside the fly-half at Leicester Tigers, certainly values what he offers to a team.<\/p>\n \u201cMy respect for him is unmatched. I\u2019m very privileged to have played with him. He is one of the three top fly-halves to ever play the game, in Owen Farrell and George Ford and Handre. And you could probably throw Finn Russell in there too,\u201d he told Grosvenor Sport<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat makes Handre so special is his calmness. He understands the game obviously inside out. He doesn\u2019t try to pretend to be this maverick who is going to throw the ball and do the maddest things in the game.<\/p>\n \u201cHe just plays his game. He says: \u2018I know how to win games, I know how to put my team in the right areas to let the best players do what they can do and I\u2019ll facilitate it all and I\u2019ll keep everyone super calm in the process.\u2019 That\u2019s what makes him, him.\u201d<\/p>\n Springboks: Rassie Erasmus uses \u2018classic example\u2019 of Jacques Nienaber to prove his point on Tony Brown contract situation<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Pollard featured five times for the Springboks in 2025, starting four matches, but Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who played in 11 Tests last year, is very much seen as the country\u2019s long-term 10.<\/p>\n There is just under two years to go until the next World Cup begins and Feinberg-Mngomezulu has stolen a march on Pollard and Manie Libbok in the race for the jersey.<\/p>\n Match winning ability in big games<\/p>\n However, the Bulls playmaker has consistently shown that he can handle the pressure of the global tournament and that counts for a lot in the key moments.<\/p>\n \u201cIn terms of where does he sit going into the next World Cup? I would never write him off, it\u2019s impossible to write him off,\u201d Watson added.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that everyone\u2019s talking about Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. He is a ridiculous talent, and he can do things that people can only dream of. But Handre Pollard, you know what he can do and if the chips are down there\u2019s no one better to have in your corner than him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s undeniable he\u2019ll be part of that squad because of his experience. He\u2019ll be an integral part of that team.\u201d<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n