Paarl Gym 10 gets Baby Bok surprise
22 May 2012
Paarl Gym 1st XV flyhalf Handre Pollard has received a call-up to the Baby Boks training camp this week.
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With Cheetahs flyhalf Johan Goosen ruled out with a shoulder injury, Bulls Vodacom Cup and U21 pivot Tony Jantjies will be the front runner to spearhead the Baby Boks at the upcoming Junior World Championship from 4-22 June. However, who will provide backup?
SA U20 head coach Dawie Theron has handed Pollard a national call-up this week. The 18-year-old has been a star feature for Paarl Gym, who are currently ranked as the No 1 rugby school in the country, and is set to play his second year of Craven Week for WP in July.
Theron plans on fielding the schoolboy in the Baby Boks’ trial match against Hamiltons U20s in Cape Town on Wednesday night.
‘He’s been very good this year. I’ve been very impressed with the way he has played for Paarl Gym and the WP Craven Week trial squad,’ Theron told Schoolboy Derby. ‘It’s not impossible for an 18-year-old to excel in an international U20 tournament. [Leicester Tigers pivot] Graham Ford made his debut for the England U20s at the age of 17 and Derrick Hougaard starred in a Currie Cup final nine months after finishing school. I believe Handre has the size and talent to do the same.
‘I have also called up Sharks XV flyhalf Fred Zeilinga as a possible option. Lions fullback Marais Schmidt is also a capable flyhalf, but he’s struggling with an ankle injury.’
Pollard admitted that he was surprised by Theron’s call last weekend, but plans on making the most of the opportunity.
‘Coach Dawie spoke to me over the weekend and told me about his plans. He wants to see how I fit into the squad and if I can make the step up,’ Pollard also told this site. ‘It’s a huge honour for me and will be a big challenge. I expect this level will be quicker and more physical compared to the kind of standards that I’m used to, but I’m positive I will be able to handle it.’
Pollard is also highly rated by Springbok head coach Heyneke Meyer. In the June issue of SA Rugby magazine, Meyer said: ‘He has a good rugby brain and has the physical attributes too [Pollard stands at 1.89m and weighs 95kg]. If he continues doing well, he’ll play for the Springboks one day.’
By Gareth Duncan
45 Comments
22 May 2012, 08:40 am
Good luck fella! I hope WP have contracted you.
22 May 2012, 08:56 am
This kid is seriously talented. Watched him at the Kearsney Easter Festival.
Apparently has received offers from WP, Bulls and Sharks already.
22 May 2012, 08:56 am
What happened to Swiel?
22 May 2012, 09:24 am
@garth(garth)-3: Swiel is injured… Think he is only expected back in July. Pity for Swiel, but he will still qualify for SA u20s next year. This Pollard is a helluva talent though… Good opportunity for him to grow as well. Bodes well for following years
22 May 2012, 09:34 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-1: It seems that WP can’t match the offer of the Bulls. This is however one player that WP should try and keep, nevermind the costs. He is an excellent player – he has everything: good hands, vision, he tackles well and has a “monstrous” boot !!
He has apparently kicked in practice, a place kick between his own 22m and 10m lines: this was on Paarl Gym’s field though and I suppose it isn’t the exact size of a “normal” size field. It does however indicate that he can kick!!
22 May 2012, 09:36 am
It will be interesting to see how Paarl Gym cope without him for the next couple of weeks: a lot of their plays are centred around him
22 May 2012, 09:44 am
This choice shows the power that heyneke meyer is exercising.
It is so unfair and unjust for a schoolboy who still has to prove himself to leap frog a brilliant individual as Timo Swiel who on saturday i understand scored 13 of his sides 18 points in their win over the maties.
And Swiel showed earlier this season against a griqua currie cup side that he has what it takes to play against the best.
His selection for the stormers squad earlier in the season was proof of his talents and one only has to talk to some of the players in that squad to find out how highly they rate him.
One only asks for fairness when selections are done and unfortunately this does not appear to be the case in this instance.l
22 May 2012, 09:46 am
@norman(norman)-7: He’s playing again? My mistake…
22 May 2012, 09:49 am
@norman(norman)-7: What team did he play for?
22 May 2012, 09:59 am
Dawie Theron – wake up man.
Pollard is slower than Swiel at pivot to set off the inside & outside centres.
Swiel is the 2nd fastest player in the whole Stormers squad – coming just behind Habana – the bleep tests will show this. Ask Justin duRandt for these stats.
Now compare Pollard to the Stormers squad and you are loading your U-20 side with Pollard who has potential – but is not “on” right now + the boy closes his eyes on the high ball – watch the replays.
22 May 2012, 10:09 am
Watched him play at Kearsney Festival, Good player Pollard. Big lad as well but dont think he ready for step up to u20′s.. Saw Paarl Gym lose to Affies @ fesival-he did some good things but also did some avg things.
He is talented tho
22 May 2012, 10:21 am
Timo swiel in my humblest opinion WILL play super rugby at the very least ! He is a future great if he carries on like he is currently. I really hope he does.
22 May 2012, 10:21 am
Swiel actually prefers the fullback position. So whether this could’ve swayed Dawie’s thinking?
Also, I think Dawie just wants to see how he goes on Wednesday. With Tony Jantjies the primary pivot and Lleyds and Smidt there to cover, reckon we have enough players whom are familiar with the systems.
Bad timing on Swiel’s injury though… Would’ve preffered him in the squad ahead of Lleyds to cover 10 and 15
22 May 2012, 10:22 am
Sorry just to add , I dont know this Handre Pollard laaitie but are looking forward to seeing him play , the more flyhalfs the merrier in a province that hardly produces quality flyhalfs.
22 May 2012, 10:22 am
Swiel should have been called up!
22 May 2012, 10:23 am
Wrt to previous post… Dawie just wants to see how (Pollard) goes on Wednesday.
Also, Tim Swiel is young enough to qualify for SA u20s next year!
22 May 2012, 10:24 am
@Gambit25(Gambit25)-13: True , when I saw him play for the first time I thought he would make a really great fullback. He reminds me of Larkham though , so maybe flyhalf is his best position , then again Larkham was never your traditional flyhalf.
22 May 2012, 10:24 am
@sparticus(sparticus)-14: Pollard does look a serious talent… Word on the street though is that he is probably on his way to the Bulls next year (say it with me… F*CK!)
22 May 2012, 10:30 am
@Gambit25(Gambit25)-18: mudderf*ck !! I have not even seen him play yet and i feel sad !! bloody hell , but I suppose we cannot hold onto everyone , mind you I do feel we doing much better these days with our youngsters. Look at Kollisi , Kitschoff , Etzebeth , Carr etc , all in long term contracts.
22 May 2012, 10:43 am
The Kings have put in an offer to take Swiel to play for them.
22 May 2012, 10:44 am
Still Theron would be advised to play Swiel in 2012 & use him & his experience for 2013.
Pollard still goes to school in short pants.
22 May 2012, 10:54 am
@CharlesM(CharlesM)-5: Interesting perspective Charles, thanks for that info,
I really hope we can retain his services.
22 May 2012, 11:01 am
95kg and 1.89m tall and still in high school. Steroids clean!
22 May 2012, 11:07 am
@SHARKattack(mabu)-23: hahahahaha
22 May 2012, 11:12 am
Best is , he’s a Bull already, Stormers need Vermeulen ‘s younger brother at 10, they only tackle , don’t need a running 10
22 May 2012, 11:17 am
@capebull(capebull)-25: Wouldn’t it be a wonderful day when the Bulls in fact produce their own talent. Anyone can go shopping;Very few (read Western Cape and Free State) can actually PRODUCE the items for sale.
22 May 2012, 11:26 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-26: From a Shark supporter, this is the best advise I have had for a long time.
Bismark-Jannie
Beast
Whitehead
Mc Cloud
Frenchy
Alberts
Deysel
Riaan
Ludick…..
OOps sorry my paper is finished
22 May 2012, 11:29 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-26: Strompies
Deon Fourie
Liebenberg
J Fourie
Habana
Nakalvuki
Canadian
Joe Peterson
Grant
Vermeulen
Brok,
OOPs sorry the fact that they always wanted to live in Cape town makes them born and bread here
22 May 2012, 11:29 am
@capebull(capebull)-27: is it true that only chiliboy & meisiekind went to school anywhere close to pretoria in the whole bulls squad?
22 May 2012, 11:31 am
@capebull(capebull)-28: kolisi, ntubeni.
22 May 2012, 11:32 am
Cheetas,
WP Nel
Willie Esterhuizen
Number 15
Bossie kop super sub
George Earl
Strauss , 2 and 15
O Ja and all the kids that go to Grey are actaully born and bread in FS
22 May 2012, 11:36 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-29: Not true , irrelevat but not true
John Smit went to Pta Boys High and born in Polekwane , now do you regard him as a Bull or a Shark ?
Spies,Chilley, Olivier, Arno,Dian and Werner all went to School in or Near Pta like I said irrelevat.
22 May 2012, 11:37 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-30: thx
22 May 2012, 11:38 am
@capebull(capebull)-28: I am not a Sharks supporter, I have standards and I don’t do gold medallions. I am talking school boy shopping here……The Bulls purchase any schoolboy that can catch a ball, and doesn’t fall over his own feet – as long as he is a Capetonian….The Bulls buy in bulk, and then throw away many of these kids when their ‘sell by’ date arrives. Why do the Bulls buy so many young players – simple really: just so that another union can’t have them. Now back to the argument at hand – WHY are the Pretoria school kids lacking in talent and creativity? Is it genetic, or is it the coaching at schoolboy level?
22 May 2012, 11:39 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-29: If the name changes to Tswane , then yes none of the current Bulls players went to school there.
22 May 2012, 11:41 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-26: Its only if you play for Welpies that the information regarding where you actually come from is classified to protect the families of the players of embaresment
22 May 2012, 11:47 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-34: Could it be that its cheaper to buy 5 youngsters , spend milions to develope them and contract the best , or maybe its better to buy 1 superstar ( Fourie/ Habana), , rumours had it that while young Bekker was learning his trade , daddy made sure no competition for his son, was signed.
Or could it be that the WP rugby simply does not see talent , like the Hougaards
Or that they spend their whole budget on 2 superstars
22 May 2012, 11:54 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-34: So you are saying all the kids in Paarl Gim were actually were born in Paarl ?
22 May 2012, 11:54 am
@capebull(capebull)-37: Nope, you and I know ‘thats not it’. The Bulls buy in bulk, and they ‘over cater’ – and then they toss away kids with the garbage. RE: Bekker, you know the thing about rumours Mr Maker – rumours feed the feeble minded. You can argue until the cows come home and Spies finally makes a tackle, but it changes nothing: The Bulls go out to buy each and every young player that could ‘possibly’ have potential, in order to keep these kids away from the other unions. And the offers they make, can’t be beaten by the other unions in question.
22 May 2012, 12:08 pm
So if the Bulls buy all these younsters who in the world attends the Rugby Accadamies of Wp, and rest ? Could it be that younsters want to go the the Bulls or are they forced to go at Gun point?
If a player does not make the cut at Bulls, is he then not good enough for Strompies ?
By the way Spies made all his tackles on Saturday ….. So does that mean I have won that argument ?
22 May 2012, 12:09 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-39: So you are saying all the players at the Strompie accadamy make it to the Strompie team , 100% passing rate….
22 May 2012, 12:23 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-34: 2 of the SA U/20 players, now playing for the Bulls – Travis Ismaiel (wing) and Marvin Orie (lock) went to Tygerberg Hoërskool (Eben Etzebeth’s former school). Ismaiel was a superb athlete as well – I saw him in a 400m inter school’s race demolishing his opponents.
Seeing that the game is professional, why should they not pursue their careers elsewhere ? It is impossible to contract all the good players in WP, but certain individuals you simply have to keep.
I don’t know if Rob Wagner is the problem ?
22 May 2012, 12:59 pm
@capebull(capebull)-40: I don’t blame the Bulls for poaching our players. They Bulls have good scouts and provide sound structures for youngsters to grow… I do however have a problem with WP Rugby and their lack to hold on to home grown talent!
WP have done well to sign Kitshoff, Etzebeth, Kolisi and Carr for the time being but lest we forget that WP ignored the talents of Mat Turner who we lost to England.
We don’t need to buy the Habana’s and Fourie’s if we first look into what we have.
Pollard is an example now… We need a quality flyhalf, he seems to have the abilities to fit the bill. WP need to do what they can to sign him. That said, if WP believe Swiel is the guy to take us forward, then thats fine and I’ll back that choice…
22 May 2012, 22:45 pm
He is a reel good rugby player… I’ve watched him from o/13 level and have no reel bad habets. The only thing about pollard is that he can’t handel pressure . He made parl gym loose to grey bloem last year because of riduculis kicking because of presure.o/16 he chocked at interschools against paarl boys of the moment with was to big. He have no bmt. I will play him at full back is a great rugby player but you have to manage presure… His lack of bmt cost paarl gym a lot of games in the past and I think at interschools this year he gonna choke again he is to windgat !!! He must come down to earth.. But he has talent
23 May 2012, 22:12 pm
@RUGBY MAD – You sound a bit jealous. Not sure if you saw or heard of the games this year but as far as i know he dominated the grey bloem game this year and was in full control of the paul roos game. Also not sure how you can say he chocked against PBH. They where by far the weaker team of the 2 and come out on top because of his boot. This kid has talent! Sounds like you know the guy calling him “windgat” but it sounds to me like someone is jealous. stick with the stats and listen to what people say that know the game!
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