In South Africa Rugby, Pollard Has Lion’s Heart Beating in Cheetah’s Body

South Africa is excited about their Springboks, and Handré Pollard is a big reason why.

The Springboks are on a roll, and Handré Pollard is a big reason why. His skills were on display Saturday evening as South Africa’s national team beat Argentina 46-13 in a nearly full Salta Stadium. Pollard registered a career-best 31 points, getting 21 points off his accurate boot and 10 points through his two tries. All of it helped the Springboks win their first Test Rugby Championship in a decade.

Big-match temperament defines Pollard. He’s at his best during those games. With reserved and charismatic character, no competitor can match his eagle-eye for goals and his accurate boot. He’s so good that it boggles the mind to think about what he might achieve before he retires from international competition.

Many pundits and fans questioned Coach Heyneke Meyer’s decision to start the then-unknown player (20 years old at the time) in group matches during the 2015 England World Cup rugby. The concern was that Meyer picked Pollard over experienced, fiery, and ever so accurate, Morne Steyn. Yes, Morne had a career for the record books, but Pollard (now 25) has a chance to join him–if he remains injury-free and plays consistently.

And while Pollard is short in size, he’s also lean-muscled, with a lion’s heart embedded in a cheetah’s body. From where I stand, there’s no better player in World Rugby today.