Tigers to take bite out of Sharks
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Handre Pollard is relishing the opportunity to tackle a few Springbok teammates when the Leicester Tigers and Sharks clash in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday.
Speaking in the buildup to the Welford Road match, the veteran playmaker is clear-eyed about the challenge awaiting the Tigers as Michael Cheika’s charge look to open their account in this season's competition.
The English outfit went down to Bordeaux-Begles in France last week while the Sharks beat the Exeter Chiefs with a bonus point in Durban.
Pollard is set to measure himself on Saturday against emerging South African pivot Siya Masuku and Jordan Hendrikse, who ended the 2024 Test season in the Bok 10 jersey against Wales in Cardiff.
“Jordan is developing very quickly. He’s got a great head on his shoulders, he’s an all-round player. He’s got a bit of everything, really,” Pollard said.
The World Cup-winning pivot sees the generational transition as a collaborative process: “There is a bigger picture, the Springboks always come first. We all try to get the best out of each other.
“The young flyhalves have been great, they want to learn, they ask questions. But we learn a lot from them as well. They grew up in a different era and see the game differently.”
Pollard acknowledges the competitive spirit will be high in the Midlands on Saturday, where his insight on fellow Boks world champions such as Siya Kolisi will be a huge asset for Leicester.
“We like playing against each other and we always go extra hard when we do. You want to measure yourself against the best in the world, and that is what they are,” he said.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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