Andre the giant gets golden Bok opportunity

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Andre Esterhuizen has waited patiently for his opportunity and Jacques Nienaber hopes unleashing the chaos agent will get the Springboks back to winning ways against Italy on Saturday.

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Esterhuizen will make just his third Test appearance of the year when he partners up with Damian de Allende in Genoa.

Despite playing a crucial role in a Premiership-winning Harlequins team, the former Sharks player has found regular game time difficult to come by at Test level, as the Springboks have preferred Jesse Kriel as the deputy to the recovering Lukhanyo Am.

Now, with the Boks coming off back-to-back losses to Ireland and France, Esterhuizen will hope to shine in a Bok team that has a near-full strength look to it.

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“I thought Jesse did well, but some of our players won’t be available against England because it’s out of the Test-match window — and Andre is one of them,” Nienaber told the media on Tuesday.

“He has been with us now for the whole year, and he has been training well and deserves a chance. We always earmarked this game, if there wasn’t injuries, to give him a proper go.

“We think the combination with Andre and Damian is a great combination, especially if you face a side like Italy. But certainly, Jesse was exceptional in the last two games that he played for us.”

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Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images/Getty Images

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Dylan Jack