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Bulls lose Pollard, gain Steyn
The Vodacom Bulls have said goodbye to one Springbok flyhalf and hello to another.
The Pretoria franchise has confirmed that Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard is off to Montpellier after the Rugby World Cup and that they have given up trying to keep him in Pretoria.
Pollard, who has signed for a reported R20-million per season at the French club, will earn close to three times his salary from both his Bok and Bulls contract combined.
Pollard off to Montpellier
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) May 14, 2019
The Blue Bulls Company would like to confirm that Vodacom Bulls and Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard has agreed terms with the French club, Montpellier.https://t.co/6vbc6debVJ pic.twitter.com/NFvd5Y246Z
At the same time, the Bulls have welcomed back veteran Morne Steyn to the fold, after several years with Stade Francais.
Steyn has wanted to return home to finish off his career and has had talks with the Bulls, ending with him signing a contract from 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2021.
The former Bok has more than 100 games each for Stade Francais and the Bulls and will play a key role in passing on his experience to the younger flyhalves in the Bulls setup.
Morne Steyn to return to old stomping ground.
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) May 14, 2019
The Vodacom Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd is pleased to confirm that Morne Steyn will re-join the Vodacom Bulls for the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season.https://t.co/rHxjzKTtIq pic.twitter.com/fIONrdj2o0
Pollard, meanwhile, is a big loss and follows in the footsteps of Jesse Kriel (Japan) and Lood de Jager (Sale) who have both been confirmed as leaving the union already.
"The Blue Bulls Company would like to confirm that Vodacom Bulls and Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard has agreed terms with French club, Montpellier," a statement read.
"Pollard, currently preparing in Melbourne with the Vodacom Bulls squad to play the Rebels on Friday, indicated his intention to the BBC when a renewal of his contract came up for discussion.
"The flyhalf, who has scored 581 points (nine tries, 110 penalties, 88 conversions and four drop goals) for the Vodacom Bulls joined the franchise in 2013, straight out of school.
"He has played 56 times for the Vodacom Bulls thus far and became a Springbok in 2014. He also played 39 tests so far, amassing 339 points."
Blue Bulls Company CEO Alfons Meyer said: "Handré has been a true servant for us for six years. He has been an outstanding asset, not only to the teams he played for, but also our supporters, to whom he endeared himself from early on with his attitude towards the Vodacom Bulls. He will be missed for sure, but we cannot fault his decision to continue his career in France. We wish him well."
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