Was Pollard following the Francois Steyn route?

Over the past two years it was evident that Pollard was not really fit and he put on a lot of weight in the process.   This was clear from photos taken in that period.   Unfit players are always more subject to injuries than fit ones and from that perspective Pollard had a nightmare two years in 2016 and 2017.

The following newspaper report refers to the much leaner Pollard at present and confirms that he in fact had a weight and fitness problem - even the photo attached to the article showed a much leaner person:-

"Bulls coach John Mitchell says that flyhalf Handre Pollard is looking fit and strong ahead of the Super Rugby season.

The 23-year-old Springbok has had a nightmare run with injuries over the past two seasons, but he is looking to put that behind him as he starts the Super Rugby season in good shape.

Pollard will wear the No 10 jersey at Loftus on Saturday when the Bulls take on the Hurricanes in their season opener, and Mitchell gave some insight into Pollard's current condition.

"He's looking really healthy," the former All Black coach said at his team announcement on Thursday.

"He's done something about how he fuels his body. He is lean.

"He's on the pitch every day working on his game so that gives you a good example that he is potentially becoming resilient as well."

Pollard, Mitchell added, would have to be used carefully.

"We're not going to get 18 games out of the guy because we're going to have to manage him well, but if we've got him for the majority if the games then that augurs well," he said.

"This whole competition is about having continuity as much as you can in your 23 because that does build team cohesion and confidence."

The above indicates the clear hand of Mitchell in player management.    In the case of Fat Fransie who was grossly overweight and unfit when he returned from France in 2012, Plumtree was forced to take rather unsuccessful measures to get him back to fitness and was replaced as coach before he could have the desired effect - while White allows Steyn to continue in his merry way.   That shows to me that Mitchell has set a standard for player fitness which bodes well for the team this year,          

Fransie is not a thing of the past - you constantly wants him in the Springbok team.   He could become a thing of the past if  you accept that he is past tense,     

Don't think Pollard will...he is a thinking flyhalf...it is always tragic when talent such as Pollard. Goosen and Lambie are hampered by major injury...it really puts one back.

It seems that our 10's are always getting injured badly...why...are they marked men...sure they are but why are we so unlucky...is it the way we play...don't tell me they are fragile, that certainly is not true...were Carter, Wilkinson, Sanchez, Hernandez, Stransky, Porta and many others tougher...I doubt it...must be the way we play...our forwards don't protect flyhalves...it's too much of the crash and bash style of our past of which Frans Steyn's was heralded.

When talent like these 3 are crippled is it just coincidence or is something more here???

Don't think Pollard will...he is a thinking flyhalf...it is always tragic when talent such as Pollard. Goosen and Lambie are hampered by major injury...it really puts one back.

It seems that our 10's are always getting injured badly...why...are they marked men...sure they are but why are we so unlucky...is it the way we play...don't tell me they are fragile, that certainly is not true...were Carter, Wilkinson, Sanchez, Hernandez, Stransky, Porta and many others tougher...I doubt it...must be the way we play...our forwards don't protect flyhalves...it's too much of the crash and bash style of our past of which Frans Steyn's was heralded.

When talent like these 3 are crippled is it just coincidence or is something more here???

To play at flyhalf is always a more difficult position from an injury perspective.   This is exemplified by Oxlee - who ended up as a permanent wheel chair sufferer,  

As you say - nothing is don by the coaches and fellow team players to protect the SA flyhalfsm with the result that some flyhalfs stand too deep in the pocket neutralizing the whole backline.

You are right the game plan of the coaches contribute in a major way in exposure of our flyhalfs to injuries and poor scrummies add to the problem.

However, in the case of some players like Pollard poor physical condition is also a factor.   .   .