llock has divided opinion since making his England debut, and nowhere has that been more evident than in South Africa.
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Before England’s clash with the Springboks at Ellis Park in the opening round of the Nations Championship, plenty of the pre match discussion centred on Pollock.
Many South African fans made it clear they were eager to see their side get the better of the young back row.
In the end, the contest never really lived up to the hype. South Africa claimed a comfortable victory, and Pollock had little opportunity to make the impact or provoke the reaction many had anticipated.
Despite the criticism Pollock has received from some South African supporters, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi appears to hold him in high regard.
Kolisi missed the England Test after suffering a hamstring injury during the captain’s run the day before the match. Although he attempted to prove his fitness before kick off, he was ultimately ruled out and has since also been sidelined for the Scotland fixture.
After the final whistle, Kolisi was seen sharing an embrace with Pollock before the pair exchanged a few words and posed for a photo together.
Pollock later posted on Instagram with the caption, “We’ll be back,” prompting Kolisi to respond with “@henryjpollock 🙌🏾”.
The interaction highlighted the respect between the two players and suggested Pollock’s reputation extends beyond his on field persona. While his competitive edge has made him a polarising figure, he is clearly admired by some of the game’s biggest names.
Pollock announced himself on the international stage in March 2025, scoring two tries off the bench on his senior England debut in a 68-14 win over Wales in the final round of the Six Nations.
That performance made him the youngest player to score a try for England in the history of the championship. Later that year, he also became the youngest player selected for the British & Irish Lions squad for the 2025 tour of Australia.
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Henry Pollock has ranked his top 5 flankers of all-time
Pollock’s selections reflect the era he grew up watching. After a breakthrough year with England and growing involvement with the British & Irish Lions, the young back-rower’s profile continues to rise both on and off the pitch.
His rankings, produced with Premier Sports, mixed modern stars with all-time greats — and plenty of fans were left talking.
POLLOCK’s TOP 5
5. Ardie Savea
One of the most complete forwards of the modern era, Savea blends explosive power with elite handling and pace rarely seen in a flanker.
A standout for the All Blacks, he has consistently delivered in high-pressure moments, evolving from an impact player into a world-leading figure and national captain. His ability to dominate collisions, win turnovers, and link play makes him a prototype for the modern back-rower.
