Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard. Photo: Steve Haag Sports Hollywoodbets

Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard. Photo: Steve Haag Sports Hollywoodbets

Springboks have new injury worry over Handre Pollard

The Springbok management team will be holding its collective breath as they await an update on the latest Handre Pollard injury scare.

Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard. Photo: Steve Haag Sports Hollywoodbets

Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard. Photo: Steve Haag Sports Hollywoodbets

The Springboks’ No 1 flyhalf was forced to with withdraw from the Leicester Tigers’ English Premiership semi-final against the Sale Sharks on Sunday.

The Leicester Tigers, who are the defending English Premiership champions, travel to the Sale Sharks for one of the two semi-finals on Sunday afternoon.

But they suffered a late setback when Pollard, who was initially named in the starting lineup, had to pull out due to an undisclosed injury.

ALSO READ: Springboks | The growing injury list ahead of the 2023 Test campaign

LEICESTER TIGERS CONFIRM HANDRE POLLARD’S INJURY

In a statement released moments before kick-off, the Leicester Tigers confirmed Pollard’s absence and said it is because of an injury.

“Leicester Tigers have been forced into a late change to the matchday squad for today’s Premiership semifinal against Sale Sharks.

“Handre Pollard is out through injury and has been replaced at fly-half by Jimmy Gopperth, who was originally named among the replacements.

“Charlie Atkinson comes into the side on the bench in place of Gopperth.

“The Leicester Tigers matchday squad is otherwise unchanged for the knockout fixture at the AJ Bell Stadium.”

The disruption counted against Leicester, as they ultimately slumped to a 21-13 defeat against Sale at Salford.

ALSO READ: Springboks to hire Duane Vermeulen as coach?

SPRINGBOKS WILL BE HOPING FOR THE BEST

The injury and the extent therefore remains a mystery, but the Springboks will be hoping it is nothing too serious. Because if it is, Pollard’s Rugby Championship participation and worse yet his World Cup campaign could be in jeopardy.

The Springboks already have a long injury list at the moment, with captain Siya Kolisi, lock Eben Etzebeth, scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse and utility back Frans Steyn all already managing extended stints on the sidelines.

ALSO READ: Race against time — When Springboks will name World Cup squad

Leicester Tigers and Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard. Getty Malcolm Couzensjpg
Leicester Tigers flyhalf Handre Pollard. Photo: Malcolm Couzens.

SOUTH AFRICA’S TEST FIXTURES IN 2023

Rugby Championship:

✈ 8 July: Springboks vs Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)

✈ 15 July: Springboks vs New Zealand (Venue and time TBC)

✈ 29 July: Springboks vs Argentina (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)

World Cup warm-ups:

✈ 5 August: Springboks vs Argentina (Vélez Stadium, Buenos Aires)

✈ 19 August: Springboks vs Wales (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)

✈ 25 August: Springboks vs New Zealand (Twickenham Stadium, London)

Rugby World Cup:

✈ 10 September: South Africa vs Scotland (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille) 

✈ 17 September: South Africa vs Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux) 

✈ 23 September: South Africa vs Ireland (Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Paris) 

✈ 1 October: South Africa vs Tonga (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)