‘Dream come true’: Handre Pollard’s daughter turns one!

Marise Pollard, the wife of Springboks fly-half Handre Pollard, penned a thoughtful tribute to their daughter Isabella who turned one on 20 October.

HANDRE POLLARD’S DAUGHTER TURNS ONE

Handre and Marise Pollard have been together for over 13 years and married for over eight years. Marise and Handre Pollard officially became parents of two under two on 20 October 2025. On 25 April 2024, the pair welcomed their first child, Hunter Andre Pollard. Now, they are celebrating their daughter, Isabella Pollard turning one. Marise penned a touching tribute to her toddler via an Instagram post. Take a look…

“Can’t write a caption because I’ve cried too many times—like, HOW is she ONE? Just five minutes ago, you were still just a dream. The fastest year of parenthood yet. Happy birthday, Isabella—our Bella. You are wild, gentle, loving, and a literal ray of sunshine. With your dad’s green eyes, you run through life with the biggest smile,” she wrote.

“I could watch you all day long. I see so much of myself in you; you teach me so much. I don’t know what I did to be your mom in this lifetime, but I’m the luckiest—thank you, Jesus. Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it. My best friend forever, my dream come true,” she continued.

“You are everything 🤍,” she added.

MARISE POLLARD ON IVF

Marise previously opened up about using In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). She explained that she planned everything she could for her first child, Hunter. However, with Isabella, she learnt that there was no need for perfection and embraced the chaos.

“We planned everything to a tee. After IVF, I spent months mentally, emotionally, and spiritually preparing myself. I was determined to be organised, prepared, and on top of everything. I thought if I planned enough, motherhood would unfold exactly as I imagined,” she wrote.

“Then came Isabella…And she gently taught me one of the biggest lessons, you cannot control motherhood. She arrived and slowly chipped away at my need for perfection. The schedules, the expectations, the pressure to have it all together. She showed me that the magic isn’t found in getting everything right, it’s found in embracing the chaos, being present in the messy moments, and sometimes simply laughing when nothing goes according to plan,” she continued.