Categories: Lifestyle

Celebrating Springbok’s Handre Pollard: A Toast to Love and Anticipation

Springboks fly-half Handre Pollard celebrated his 30th birthday this month, and his wife Marise shared a heartfelt Instagram post marking the occasion. The couple, who married in 2017, are soon to welcome their first child, adding an intriguing new chapter to their love story. Their impending arrival is the third “Bok baby” in the Springboks fraternity, following other players who welcomed their first children earlier this year. Their love and unity serve as an inspiration to many who believe in the power of family and shared dreams.

Celebrating Springbok’s Handre Pollard: A Toast to Love and Anticipation. Handre Pollard’s wife, Marise, celebrated her husband’s 30th birthday by posting a throwback picture on Instagram, accompanied by an endearing note. The couple is on the cusp of welcoming their first child, adding an intriguing twist to their love story that began 12 years ago. Their anticipated arrival is the third “Bok baby” in the Springboks fraternity, following other players who welcomed their first children earlier this year. Their love story serves as a beacon of inspiration to many who believe in the power of love, unity, and family.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

A Birthday to Remember

The digital world was brimming with endearing sentiment and celebratory vibes earlier this month, precisely on the eleventh of March. The reason? The celebration of the 30th birthday of the eminent Springboks fly-half, Handre Pollard. The orchestrator of this joyous online occasion was none other than Marise Pollard, Handre’s wife. Marise chose this special day to share a throwback picture, dating back to 12 years ago, and accompanied it with an endearing note for her beloved partner.

There’s a common saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. Yet, when such an image is paired with a heartfelt dedication from a wife to her spouse, it becomes invaluable. The photograph that Marise posted on Instagram was a sentimental keepsake from the initial phase of their relationship, a symbol of their persistent affection. She supplemented the image with a caption that was both moving and profound.

In her emotional homage, Marise reminisced about the journey they embarked on as a couple. “30 years of you, of which I’ve had a front-row seat for 12 years and man oh man, what a privilege,” she expressed. The privilege she referred to wasn’t restricted to being a part of Handre’s life but also included observing the characteristics and strengths that define him – his selflessness, humility, goal-driven approach, and kindness. Such traits affirm why Marise perceives her husband as “literally perfect.”

A New Journey Begins

But Marise’s homage extended beyond his personal qualities. She also touched on his upcoming role as a father. Their baby boy, expected to arrive in April, already has, in Marise’s words, “the best person to look up to.” This expectation of their impending parenthood introduces an intriguing twist to their love narrative that started 12 years prior.

Their love story initiated like many others, with casual dates and shared hobbies. However, as they journeyed through life, their bond intensified, culminating in a stunning wedding ceremony at the picturesque Cavalli Estate in Cape Winelands, Cape Town six years ago. The Citizen corroborates that ever since that memorable day in 2017, the couple has been inseparable, garnering admiration for their unwavering unity.

Fast forward to 2022, the couple is on the cusp of greeting their first child, a baby boy. The happy news was joyfully disclosed by Marise during her baby shower at the Brookdale Estate in Western Cape earlier in January. As they gear up for this new chapter, one can only envision the elation and thrill that occupy their hearts.

A Legacy of Love in the Springboks Circle

The anticipated arrival of their child is the third “Bok baby” in the Springboks fraternity. This follows other Springbok players Eben and Anlia Etzebeth, and Faf and Mine de Klerk, who welcomed their first children earlier this year.

While these shared moments of happiness within the Springbok fraternity are heartwarming, it’s the individual journey of Handre and Marise that truly captures attention. Their narrative is a delicate tapestry of love, camaraderie, and collective dreams. On Handre’s 30th birthday, Marise’s Instagram tribute encapsulated not only the person Handre is but the person he continues to be in her eyes – caring, selfless, and “literally perfect.”

As they ready themselves to welcome their son, our wishes for them are filled with hopes of countless more years of love and bliss. Their narrative isn’t just about them, it serves as a beacon of inspiration to many who believe in the power of love, unity, and family.

Their love story demonstrates that real love isn’t just about shared moments, but about growing alongside each other, providing mutual support, and looking forward to shared futures. As they step into the thrilling journey of parenthood, we echo Marise’s anticipation and excitement, certain that their baby boy indeed has the best role model to look up to.

1. Who is Handre Pollard?

Handre Pollard is an eminent Springboks fly-half who celebrated his 30th birthday earlier this month.

2. Who is Marise Pollard?

Marise Pollard is Handre Pollard’s wife, who celebrated her husband’s birthday by posting a throwback picture on Instagram, accompanied by an endearing note.

3. When did Handre and Marise get married?

Handre and Marise got married in 2017, and their love and unity serve as an inspiration to many who believe in the power of family and shared dreams.

4. Are Handre and Marise expecting their first child?

Yes, Handre and Marise are expecting their first child, a baby boy, in April.

5. How many “Bok babies” are there in the Springboks fraternity?

The anticipated arrival of Handre and Marise’s child is the third “Bok baby” in the Springboks fraternity, following other players who welcomed their first children earlier this year.

6. What is the legacy of love in the Springboks circle?

Handre and Marise’s narrative is a delicate tapestry of love, camaraderie, and collective dreams. Their love story serves as a beacon of inspiration to many who believe in the power of love, unity, and family.

Liam Fortuin

Liam Fortuin is a Cape Town journalist whose reporting on the city’s evolving food culture—from township kitchens to wine-land farms—captures the flavours and stories of South Africa’s many kitchens. Raised in Bo-Kaap, he still starts Saturday mornings hunting koesisters at family stalls on Wale Street, a ritual that feeds both his palate and his notebook.

Recent Posts

Dawn, Dirt and Dinner: A Willowvale Kitchen Without Walls

In Willowvale, farmers cleverly plant in manurefilled pits to save water and feed the soil.…

6 hours ago

Cape Town Quietly Rewrites the Rules Between Tradition and the State

Cape Town is cleverly changing how it supports traditional initiation camps. They now treat these…

9 hours ago

South Africa Plays Hardball on Hoof-and-Mouth: A Five-Year Blitz to Reopen R7 Billion in Beef Trade

South Africa is launching a massive fiveyear plan to crush FootandMouth Disease for good. They're…

11 hours ago

South Africa’s Gateways in November 2025: 3,1 Million Footprints in 30 Days

In November 2025, South Africa saw a massive 3.1 million people cross its borders. This…

12 hours ago

Cape Town’s Rupee-Powered Metamorphosis: How a City Rewrote Itself for the Indian Traveller

Cape Town worked hard to charm Indian travelers. They made it easier to fly there,…

18 hours ago

From Bottle to Breakthrough: How Three Cape Town Schools Turned Trash into a Movement

Three Cape Town schools started a cool recycling project called "From Bottle to Breakthrough." They…

20 hours ago