Leicester Tigers disclose Pollard's injury
EXCLUSIVE: The injury status of Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard has been a major concern for the South African camp.
The Boks already sit without the services of captain Siyamthanda Kolisi for the Rugby Championship after he underwent surgery on his knee.
The captain suffered a partial tear to his anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) as well as injuring his meniscus on both sides of his knee during the Sharks' final-round United RUgby Championship match against Munster in April.
*READ: Pollard injury a concern for Boks
Thus far, very little has been made public regarding the Springbok vice-captain's latest setback, however, @rugby365com can confirm that Pollard sustained a lower leg injury.
Leicester Tigers told @rugby365.com that Pollard picked up a lower leg injury and was unable to recover in time for the club's Premiership semifinal match against Sale Sharks.
The Tigers eventually suffered a 13-21 defeat to Sale without their talisman.
The good news is that Pollard is not expected to be out long-term, the Tigers revealed.
The Boks will begin their preparations for the Rugby Championship at a training camp in Pretoria from Monday, June 12 to Friday, June 30, with the team slotting into match mode the following week for their opening match against Australia at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, July 8.
Jacques Nienaber’s charges will then depart for New Zealand for their second Test of the condensed version of the competition against the All Blacks at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland (July 15), before returning to South Africa for their closing match against Argentina in Johannesburg ( July 29).
The Springboks will play three World Cup warm-up matches: against Argentina in Buenos Aires (Saturday, August 5), Wales in Cardiff (Saturday, August 19) and New Zealand in London (Friday, August 25) respectively.
They will then make their way to France for the international extravaganza where they face Scotland in Marseille (Sunday, September 10), Romania in Bordeaux (Sunday, September 17), Ireland in Paris (Saturday, September 23) and Tonga in Marseille (Sunday, October 1) during the pool stages.