Fly-half Pollard, who joins South Africa team-mate François Steyn at the French club shortly, laid the foundation for the Springboks’ resounding 32-12 victory over England in Yokohama, Japan, by kicking six penalties from seven attempts.

The 25-year-old then converted tries in the last 15 minutes by left wing Makazole Mapimpi and right wing Kolbe, who danced his way through England’s splintered defence on the right in the 73rd minute.

England’s sole response was four penalties from Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell, who was unable to follow his Heineken Champions Cup success in May with a world title.

However, club-mate and replacement South Africa prop Vincent Koch does join that rare breed of European and World Cup champions after coming on in the final, having been part of Saracens’ 2017 and 2019 Champions Cup wins.

Sale Sharks scrum-half Faf de Klerk, Gloucester Rugby lock Franco Mostert and Bath Rugby flanker Francois Louw will also return to their English clubs as World Cup winners in readiness for the start of the 2019/20 Heineken Champions Cup campaign in two weeks’ time.

South Africa lock Lood de Jager is scheduled to join De Klerk at Sale, but he suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder in the early stages of the final and had to leave the field.

For a full list of this season’s Heineken Champions Cup pool fixtures click here.