Handre Pollard made a timely recovery from injury to cap a sensational 2023 by kicking the Springboks to a World Cup title defence.
Pollard once again proved to be the man for the big occasion in 2023, replicating his 2019 World Cup heroics despite a delayed call into South Africa’s squad.
A calf injury meant that the decorated flyhalf only featured in the World Cup in France from game four, but he left his mark on the tournament.
Handré Pollard: kicking perfection
v Tonga – 4 from 4
v France – 2 from 2
v England – 3 from 3
v New Zealand – 4 from 4💯#RWC2023 | #RWCFinal pic.twitter.com/oY8gncX9mc
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 29, 2023
His lucky break came when Malcolm Marx suffered a tournament-ending injury, shortly before Pollard made his return to action for Leicester Tigers in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Pollard’s first appearance for the Springboks in 2023 came in the final World Cup pool game against Tonga and he proved his readiness by slotting four conversions in a 50-minute spell.
He followed this up with a super-sub impact in the quarter-final against France, slotting a late penalty and conversion as the Springboks beat the hosts 29-24.
Pollard was once again named on the bench in the semi-final clash with England, but was called onto the field in the 31st minute, with the Springboks struggling to get a foothold in the game. As he did four years ago at the same stage against Wales, Pollard held his nerve to kick a 77th-minute long-range penalty to earn a narrow win and get the Boks through to the final.
Handed back the No 10 jersey against the All Blacks, Pollard kicked four first-half penalties to give the Springboks a buffer to see out a 12-11 victory and retain the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time in their history.
All in all, Pollard did not miss a single attempt at goal at the World Cup, scoring 33 points in four games, including his 12 in the final.
Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images