Boks sweating on fitness of flyhalf Handre Pollard after late withdrawal

Pollard was a last-minute withdrawal from Sunday's Premiership semi-final between Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks.

Leicester did not reveal any details about the nature or severity of the injury.

A pre-match statement read: "Leicester Tigers have been forced into a late change to the match-day squad for today™s Gallagher Premiership semi-final against Sale Sharks.

"Handre Pollard is out through injury and has been replaced at flyhalf by Jimmy Gopperth, who was originally named among the replacements."

The injury came as a major blow to both Pollard and his club, with Leicester ultimately losing 21-13 to Sale in Sunday's Premiership semi-final.

The South African had been a standout performer for the Tigers since making his comeback from a previous injury, with his performances getting better and better as the season progressed.

As a key performer in the Boks' victorious 2019 World Cup campaign, he is expected to play a vital role during the coming season.

However, the 29-year-old has a history of injury issues, having already missed the end-of-year tour to the UK and France in 2022 due to a knee problem.

The Boks are already nursing several injuries to key players, with the likes of Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Jaden Hendrikse and Frans Steyn already on the sidelines.