SOUTH AFRICA WON’T have out-half Handre Pollard available when they play Ireland this summer.
Pollard has been ruled out for “at least nine months” according to the Bulls after he ruptured knee ligaments in training yesterday. The 21-year-old out-half is due to undergo surgery tomorrow.
A key member of the South Africa side that finished third at last year’s World Cup, Pollard had just returned to the Bulls’ set-up after a short stint with NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in Japan.
Pollard, who has been capped 20 times by the Springboks, will now miss the entire Super Rugby season, as well as his country’s three-match Test series against Ireland. Joe Schmidt’s side will travel to South Africa for to play the Springboks on 11, 18 and 25 June.
Pollard also looks likely to be unavailable for the 2016 Rugby Championship, which begins on 20 August.
“Handre was easing back into training, his first phase of final rehab before being cleared to play and was busy with a passing drill when he injured himself. This is pretty devastating for all of us as Handre was a key player for us,” Bulls coach Nollis Marais said.
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