Just In:Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says Polly will play just one match for Bulls due to…
Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says Handré Pollard will only feature in Saturday’s URC clash with Ulster before returning to South Africa. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.
The Springbok flyhalf has been named to start in Belfast in what will be his first Bulls appearance since 2019, providing a timely boost for a side looking to make a statement on their three-match tour of Ireland and Scotland.
Pollard was named Man of the Match in the Boks’ Rugby Championship win against the Wallabies in Cape Town, and started again at 10 against the All Blacks in Auckland. However, the 24-17 defeat saw him fall out of the match 23 for the remainder of the campaign.
Ackermann confirmed on Friday that Pollard would play only in the Ulster fixture before returning home, meaning he will miss the tour matches against Connacht and Glasgow.
“Of course, with a player like Handré there are expectations,” the coach said. “Even if he hasn’t played for a couple of weeks, everyone knows the quality he brings. But we also have to support him – it can’t all on him.
He’ll play this one match and then return to South Africa, so we want to make the most of his influence while he’s here. He’s brought real calmness, class and leadership this week and fitted in quickly with the group.”
Pollard is one of four Rugby Championship-winning Springboks in the Bulls’ starting XV, along with tighthead prop Wilco Louw, openside flank Marco van Staden and outside centre Canan Moodie, while front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels is on the bench.
Ackermann has made significant alterations to the match 23 that beat Leinster at Loftus but is confident the Bulls can quickly find their stride.
“When you make seven changes to the starting team, there will always be questions around continuity,” he said. “But apart from Handré, these are players who have been part of the group for a long time. We’ve tried to think carefully about combinations. Hopefully it won’t take us long to find rhythm.”
The Bulls have made a perfect start to the URC season with two home bonus-point wins, and top the log, but the coach is under no illusions about the challenge that awaits at Ravenhill.
“Playing Ulster in Belfast is always tough. The crowd is passionate, noisy and right on top of you – it’s similar to Loftus in that sense,” Ackermann said.
“It’s a proud club with a lot of tradition. We can’t control the crowd or the weather, only our mindset, attitude and positivity.”
