Handre Pollard reveals why 2023 RWC hits different
Star man Handre Pollard feels that the tough route the Springboks had to take to the crown made the victory even sweeter.
Handre Pollard says that the 2023 Rugby World Cup win has been the most significant event in his career.
He feels that the tough route the Springboks had to take to the crown made the victory even sweeter.
HANDRE POLLARD ON WHY 2023 RUGBY WORLD CUP HITS DIFFERENT
However, he added that it took its emotional toll as well.
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“What makes this one special is the route we had to take and the teams we had to play against,” Pollard explained in a Sky Sports interview.
“We played against the top five teams in the world in order to win the World Cup. It is unbelievable, especially in the finals.
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“Winning one of those Test matches in that manner [by one point] is unbelievable in terms of the emotional toll it takes on you and the place you have to go to win those games.
“To do that three weeks in a row, that was unbelievable.”
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BRINGING JOY TO A NATION
Pollard knew that the Springboks had the ability to bring joy to South Africa.
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“It is something we really didn’t understand when we were younger. We knew the Springboks were big and it was a big part of our country. After 2019 we saw what was capable and what we can do to the country,” said the star pivot.
“It’s not going to change our country and all the problems are not going to go away but the joy we can bring to those people, who sometimes go months or years without something to smile about, that is our purpose.
“It brings something out of you as a player that I think you don’t even realise is there.
“It is something we are very sacred about and we are going to protect that with everything we have going forward because it is truly special.”
Pollard feels that it will take a while to come down from the mountaintop experience but diving back into action with Leicester has helped him adjust.
“I think it will still take a while. It is just great being back at Leicester now. I think that is going to help a lot in getting over it,” Pollard said.
“As awesome as it is and amazing as it is, life goes on and you got to get cracking again at the club so it is great to be back here.”