Bok flyhalf Pollard wins Top 14 title with Montpellier

Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard nailed over a 77th minute penalty as Montpellier beat Castres 29-10 to win their maiden French Top 14 title on Friday in a re-run of the 2018 final at the Stade de France.

The 28-year-old, who will join English Premiership outfit Leicester Tigers next season, came off the bench in the final 12 minutes, while English No. 8 Zach Mercer played a leading role in match.

Pollard is expected to be back in South Africa early next week as the Boks prepare for their July test series against the Wales.

Mercer, who joined the Mediterranean side this season from Bath, set up Arthur Vincent for Montpellier's opening try as the 2018 runners-up gained revenge for the defeat four years ago.

"It was really exceptional. We had a huge season, we really deserved that," Montpellier's Paolo Garbisi told Canal+.

"We knew with Castres that you have to surprise them with desire from the start. We knew they never give up, that's what they did.

"We managed to hold on until the end and now it's superb."

Kick-off was delayed by 19 minutes after French President Emmanuel Macron was whistled on and off the field as he was presented to the players.

Both Castres and Montpellier named the same starting XVs which won last weekend's semi-finals against record 21-time champions Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles respectively.

Philippe Saint-Andre's Montpellier dominated from the off and they were rewarded after six minutes as winger Vincent dived over in the corner from a grubber-kick by Mercer, who is ineligible for his country as he plays abroad.

By the 13-minute mark Montpellier led 17-0 as lock Florent Vanverberghe and full-back Anthony Bouthier, who was beautifully set-up by a Vincent loop pass, added to Castres' woes, who seemed to be