Henry Pollock Fires Back After Schalk Burger Swipe

After the Springbok great questioned the England flanker’s focus and labelled him more of a “TikTok dancer” than a rugby player, Pollock has doubled down on exactly who he is.

“Obviously the celebration is just who I am,” Pollock said in response to widespread criticism. “I’m not going to change wherever I go. I’m just trying to be the best person and best player I can be, personally and for the team.

“I guess becoming a target, I don’t really care too much.”

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Burger had suggested there was “a lot going on in that head,” casting doubt over whether the social media-savvy back-rower’s priorities were fully aligned with the old-school expectations of the game.

Pollock’s response? Bring it on.

“If they want to target me, I guess that creates other options around the park. Come and target me if you want, I don’t really care too much.”

It’s defiance. It’s confidence. And it’s exactly why he splits opinion.

For some, it’s arrogance. For others, it’s box-office edge.

But Pollock insists there’s a bigger picture.

“It’s only good for the sport. It’s more interesting to watch. You need people to be interested in sport,” he explained.

“You need that kind of rivalry or that kind of extra bite that you don’t have in your day-to-day jobs for those fans watching. That’s the reason they want to come to watch us play, and that’s the reason they’re interested in us. It is because we do such different things to what they do.”

He even pointed to football as inspiration.

“I remember watching football and seeing how they all had that kind of individualism and those kinds of celebrations, and then they had such a good team cohesion around that. And I remember thinking rugby never had that.

“So, me coming in, I guess changing that, lots of other boys as well doing that same thing, it’s only good for the sport.”

Far from shying away from the spotlight, Pollock embraces it.

“If people want to emulate me, then be my guest. It increases publicity and, ultimately, that’s what you need. It gets more people trying to get interested in sport.

“It’s growing like it is in football. I think the sport’s in a good place right now.”

In other words, while the old guard might raise eyebrows, Pollock is unapologetic.