Springboks: Handre Pollard and his wife have special reason to celebrate ahead of upcoming tour
Handre Pollard with his wife, Marise, (inset) and in action for the Springboks.
Springboks and Bulls fly-half Handre Pollard and his wife, Marise, are celebrating the birth of their second child, a daughter, who was born in Cape Town on Monday.
The Pollards broke the news via social media on their Instagram account with a post which said: “And just like that, our world has changed again. Isabella Tanya Pollard, you are so loved.”
The couple also welcomed a son, Hunter, into the world in April 2024, and earlier this year, they announced their second pregnancy.
‘We are beyond excited’
“Our little family is growing. Hunter is going to be a big brother in October, and we are beyond excited. God is so good,” read a post on Instagram.
News of the birth of the Pollards’ second child was also shared on the official Facebook page of the Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt – the hospital where the baby was born.
The birth of Isabella was a special occasion for mother Marise, as the 30-year-old Marise herself was also born at the same hospital.
“Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt would like to congratulate Handré and Marise Pollard on their newest addition to their family,” read Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt’s Facebook post.
“As part of our tradition, each new dad raises the flag outside the facility, with Handré Pollard raising a pink flag for their daughter. In a full circle, Mom was also born at this hospital, making it a lovely moment for all!”
Returned to the Bulls
Pollard, who was the Springboks‘ first choice fly-half when they won Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 in 2023, rejoined the Bulls at the start of the current United Rugby Championship season after spending three years at PREM Rugby heavyweights Leicester Tigers.
The 31-year-old started his career with the Bulls at Super Rugby level in 2014 before leaving them in 2019 to join Top 14 heavyweights Montpellier prior to his move to Leicester in 2022.
The experienced playmaker was included in the Springboks’ 36-member squad for their upcoming end-of-year tour to Europe.
South Africa take on Japan in the first of five Tests on consecutive Saturdays at Wembley Stadium in London on November 1 before France at Stade de France in Paris (November 8), Italy at the Allianz Stadium, Turin (November 15), Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin (November 22) and Wales at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff (November 29).
