Marise Pollard, the wife of Springboks fly-half Handré Pollard, has shared an honest update on her return to fitness following the birth of the couple’s second child.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Marise reflected on the challenges of easing back into exercise after welcoming baby Isabella Tanya Pollard in October 2025.
‘I’m not the same’
The Pollards, who have been married for eight years, are now parents to two children under the age of two. Their first child, Hunter André Pollard, was born in April 2024, just 18 months before Isabella’s arrival.
In her post, Marise explained that she is focusing on taking things slowly and listening to her body, particularly after back-to-back pregnancies.
“I went for a short run last week and my pelvic floor said no,” she wrote. “I’m not one of those people who can train through pregnancy. Respect to those who can. With back-to-back pregnancies, my body definitely needs a little extra grace.”
She added that while returning to movement has not been easy, she is grateful to be able to train again, now easing back into exercise through pilates.
“I’m just really grateful to be back and able to train again, because it’s always something I miss so much while I’m pregnant,” she said.
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Letting go of ‘bouncing back’
Marise was candid about rejecting the idea of “bouncing back” after pregnancy, instead choosing to embrace the changes her body has gone through.
“So here’s to small steps,” she wrote. “Not bouncing back, because I’m not the same, and I can’t bounce back to who I was before.”
“I’m so excited to meet this new version of my body, and to celebrate her for all she’s created in the last three years.”
Her post was met with supportive messages from followers, many praising her openness and realistic approach to postnatal recovery.
A Springbok baby boom
The Pollards are among several Springbok families who have welcomed new additions in recent months.
In October 2025, Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth and his wife Anlia also welcomed their second child, a baby girl, less than two years after the birth of their first child in January 2024.
Meanwhile, Springboks scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and his wife Miné welcomed their second baby in November 2025. Their first child, Remi-Ré, was born in February 2024.
As Marise continues her post-pregnancy fitness journey, her message of patience, grace and self-acceptance has resonated with many new mothers navigating similar seasons.
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Featured Image: Instagram | marisepollard
