Back in the match-day squad after recovering from a hand injury, Andre Esterhuizen says the Springboks need to be “as physical as possible” to beat Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
Esterhuizen will play in just his second Test of the year off the bench against Los Pumas, having returned to the Bok squad for the first time since 2019 in the home series against Wales.
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“I wouldn’t say it’s been massively frustrating,” Esterhuizen said on his game time for the national team. “You can’t just expect, after a great season at your club, to just be selected for the international side. It always takes hard work and graft to be here and when you get here, it’s even harder work.
“Everyone wants to play, but not everyone can play. When you get your chance, you have to prove yourself. My broken hand set me back a little bit. So, I am grateful for this opportunity and I am desperate to impress.”
Argentina have shown their threat this year by beating Australia at home before claiming a historic away win over New Zealand, built on a platform of solid defence.
“The gainline battle will be the key thing this weekend, getting that front-foot ball and momentum,” Esterhuizen said. “They are a great defensive side, so we need to be as physical as possible, get that momentum and outwork them.”
While he has been typecast as a smash-and-bash No 12, Esterhuizen has displayed the more subtle elements of his game at the attack-oriented Harlequins in England.
“I have played a few brands of rugby over the last few years, especially at Harlequins where we like to attack a lot but we all know the difference between club and Test rugby,” he said.
“There can still be room for softer touches but that can only be on the back of momentum. To offload, you need to be on the front foot because that is when the space opens up.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
