When will Handre Pollard become the Springboks top-scorer

Handre Pollard added to his impressive points tally at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and just two players are now able to boast more points in Green and Gold.

Pollard would add to his impressive Rugby World Cup tally, tying up with Michael Lynagh on 195 points in third on the all-time points list.

During the final, Pollard also passed Dan Carter and only two men, Jonny Wilkinson and Gavin Hastings, have more Rugby World Cup points.

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Handre Pollard out to take the record

All-time points leader Percy Montgomery, who bagged 893 points across his career remains atop the list for now.

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Morne Steyn added to his impressive tally as recently as last season’s Lions Tour to South Africa but he ended his career with 742 points and in second place on the all time scorers list.

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Pollard finds himself third on the Springboks top scorers of all time list with his total of 698 points in Test rugby.

#	Player	Period	Points	Caps	Tries	Con	Pen	DG	Ave
1	Percy Montgomery	1997–2008	893	102	25	153	148	6	8.75
2	Morné Steyn	2009–2021	742	68	8	102	156	10	10.91
3	Handré Pollard	2014–	698	69	7	96	152	5	10.12
4	Bryan Habana	2004–2016	335	124	67	0	0	0	2.7
5	Elton Jantjies	2012–	331	46	2	66	62	1	7.2
6	Naas Botha	1980–1992	312	28	2	50	50	18	11.14
7	Joel Stransky	1993-1996	240	22	6	30	47	3	10.91
8	Braam van Straaten	1999–2001	221	21	2	23	55	0	10.52
9	Joost van der Westhuizen	1993-2003	190	89	38	0	0	0	2.13
10	Jannie de Beer	1997-1999	181	13	2	33	27	8	15.08

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When will Handre Pollard become the Springboks top-scorer

Given that he scores about ten points per match, Pollard will need about 20 more Tests to soar past Montgomery, meaning he is only likely to snatch the record in 2025 or 2026 depending on his availability.

Pollard moved into third some time ago when he moved beyond a man who rather incredibly didn’t slot a single goal kick in his career.

That’s because Bryan Habana has the fourth most Springbok points purely from scoring his 67 tries and is one of two players without any kicked points in the top ten.

The Jantjies issue

Elton Jantjies is the only other current player on the list but unlike Pollard he cannot feature at the Rugby World Cup as he is currently suspended over a doping positive.

Jantjies moved ahead of Naas Botha and into fifth on the list last season even as controversy raged over his conduct.

Seventh placed Joel Stransky played just 22 Tests for South Africa for his 240 but sports one of the highest points per game averages of anyone on the list.

Sandwiched between Braam van Straaten and Jannie De Beer is Joost van der Westhuizen, the other player without any kiced points who cracks the top ten.

What did you think of Handre Pollard at the Rugby World Cup?

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