Springbok star Handrè Pollard is set to leave Leicester Tigers at the end of the current season, opening the door for a potential lucrative move.
Reports suggest that several Japanese clubs are interested in securing his signature, with Tokyo Sungoliath currently leading the race to sign the 30-year-old. If Pollard joins Sungoliath, he would reunite with Springbok teammate Cheslin Kolbe.
Sungoliath, who are currently third in Japan’s League One Conference B, have been pursuing Pollard for several months, first making an enquiry back in October. However, they were unsuccessful in landing the World Cup-winning fly-half at that time.
When asked in December about his future, Pollard was uncertain, telling BBC Radio Leicester, “I have no idea. I can tell you the truth, I don’t know yet what I’m doing or where I’m going. I’m just happy being at Leicester and I will enjoy every minute I have here.”
Pollard also stressed the importance of enjoyment, adding, “We have to play hard and be on it every week, but the enjoyment element of it is so important in a rugby group, especially in a long season like we have these days.”
Meanwhile, Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth is still recovering from a concussion he sustained against Exeter Chiefs on December 7 in the European Champions Cup. The 33-year-old has yet to return to action, with the Sharks confirming that he has experienced a recurrence of symptoms. A spokesperson stated, “The Sharks take this injury seriously, and player welfare remains our priority. Eben is being managed by concussion specialists and will be cleared to return once they are satisfied his injury has completely resolved.”
