In kicking the world champions to victory against the Wallabies at Cape Town Stadium, Bok flyhalf Handre Pollard earned plaudits from South Africa’s top rugby podcast.
The veteran No 10 trotted out in his third Test appearance of the season, and his first start in almost 50 days, and duly pointed a flailing Springbok team towards the scoreboard, ringing up 15 points by way of three conversions and three penalties in a flawless display from the tee.
“Polly, thank goodness, came out of the freezer, and kicked his kicks, took control of the game and just reminded everybody why he is our best Test flyhalf,” Zelím Nel said on The Keo & Zels show.
Pollard celebrated his 83rd Test cap with a win against Australia and the Man of the Match award.
“And the MVP of the game, voted for by [readers] on SA Rugby Magazine, was Handré Pollard and logically so,” said Mark Keohane. “Look, we ran a poll – as we always do after every single game – to ‘pick your Bok MVP’ and the readers lined up.”
You voted Handré Pollard as your Bok MVP — powered by @AutoandGeneral — for his performance against the Wallabies in Cape Town! pic.twitter.com/3k7E1FBwRX
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) August 25, 2025
“People voted en masse, and Handré Pollard won almost 55% of the vote, which is overwhelming because second place was Cheslin Kolbe with 12%,” added Nel. “So, he was the out-and-out clear favourite. South Africans know their rugby, mate. They know a good flyhalf when they see one. Pollard was their choice.
“That’s the big one for me,” Keohane said. “55% of you acknowledged that the Bok MVP was Handré Pollard. He’s gone past 800 points, edging closer to Monty’s 893. He is still the man. He’s still the perfect 10.”
Pollard proved why they call him the Iceman in Cape Town! And he was voted as your Bok MVP, powered by @AutoandGeneral. pic.twitter.com/2rNx8GPIG3
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) August 26, 2025
