Handre Pollard

The salary of Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard at his new English Premiership club Leicester Tigers has been revealed. Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images

Why Pollard chose Leicester over big-money alternatives

Handre Pollard has reportedly agreed to join Leicester Tigers as a result of the vision and ambition of the English club.

Handre Pollard

The salary of Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard at his new English Premiership club Leicester Tigers has been revealed. Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images

Pollard, who is believed to be one of the game’s best-paid players since joining French club Montpellier on a lucrative deal in 2019, is now reportedly set to make a switch to the English Premiership.

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The World Cup-winning flyhalf is widely reported to be in line to replace Englishman George Ford, who is poised to join Premiership rivals Sale Sharks.

Pollard’s contract with Montpellier is set to come to its conclusion at the end of the current Top 14 season, with the French club reportedly not inclined to offer him an extension at a time when they have recently released several signings.

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Pollard set to be unveiled as a Leicester Tigers recruit soon

The 27-year-old is believed to have been in high demand, with options in England, Japan and possibly even the Durban-based Sharks. However, Leicester have apparently won the race to his signature, and interesting reasons have been provided as to why he opted for this route.

“If the rumours are to be believed, we (Leicester) are signing Pollard on Wednesday or Thursday this week,” co-presenter Elliot Butlin said on ‘The Rolling Maul’ podcast.

“Salary for about £600k, which is considerably less than what Japan was offering, which was £1m, so he’s coming not for the money but for the project.

“Apparently the presentation that was given to him by Steve and the club is was what sold it to him, he was really impressed by what we were saying and he’s buying into the project and the journey, so to speak, we are embarking on.”

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Pollard – who broke through at senior level with the Bulls – has already accrued 60 Test caps for the Springboks, while he previously enjoyed a stint in Japan with the Red Hurricanes.