Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard is relishing the prospect of facing the British & Irish Lions during next year’s three Test series.
Pollard was speaking from Montpellier in the third episode of SA Rugby’s new podcast series, where he outlined his anticipation for the Lions visit in 2021.
It will be the first time in 12 years – when John Smit led the Springboks to a famous 2-1 victory – that the Lions will be touring South Africa. The visitors previously claimed a series victory in Austria in 2013, before sharing the series in 2017 against the All Blacks.
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Pollard, who has continued his excellent form since joining French side Montpellier last year, is expected to retain his place as the Springbok flyhalf next year. He said that following the Boks’ World Cup celebrations in November, their focus immediately turned to the upcoming series against the Lions.
‘It was probably the first thing we spoke among each other after we won the Rugby World Cup,’ Pollard said.
‘We said to each other, “Listen, the Lions are coming next year and it’s going to be awesome!” It’s a childhood dream of mine to play for the Springboks in a Lions series.
‘I was 15 when Morne Steyn kicked over that penalty at Loftus to clinch the 2009 series. At that time, I was just a young boy wanting to play the game and dreaming of playing for the Springboks one day – it is the kind of stuff that just stuck in your head and it has never gone away.
‘The possibility and realisation of being part of something like that would be like a dream come true, really. Hopefully, things will return to normal soon, and then I think the buildup to the much-anticipated Lions series will be epic.’
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Hollywoodbets
Registration for interest in tickets for the 2021 British & Irish Lions Tour to SA is still open at www.lionstour2021.co.za. Check out the tour scheduled and more by clicking here.
