Esterhuizen reveals how he trains for hybrid role
SPOTLIGHT: Hybrid players are becoming more popular in the modern game, and Springbok Andre Esterhuizen is a prime example of it.
Esterhuizen caught the eye during the Boks’ international friendly against the Barbarians when he came on as a replacement.
However, he slotted into the No.6 position in place of his usual role of inside centre.
The experiment paid off two weeks later in Gqeberha when he fulfilled the same role following Jasper Wiese’s red card during the first half against Italy.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus admitted at the time that Esterhuizen’s versatility saved the Boks in that Test, which could’ve gone pear-shaped.
“It saved us. I think it saved us in a big way because you’re not taking a back off and putting a loose forward on,” Erasmus said after the second Test against Italy.
“We can actually now use Andre on our ball [at scrum time] and put him at flanker, and on Italy’s ball, we could put him at centre.”
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It remains a mystery what Esterhuizen’s role will be this weekend against Argentina, with the Bok team set to be named on Tuesday.
Esterhuizen had a solid performance against the All Blacks a fortnight ago in the 43-10 thrashing and scored the final try of the match as a replacement in his usual position of inside centre.
The 31-year-old revealed how he goes about his training ahead of a match, depending on the role he will fulfil on matchday.
“We decide at the start of the week what my focus and role should be.
“It varies. At times I focus on [playing] flank and other times on centre.
“I’d be involved amongst the forwards doing line-outs before shifting to the backs during split sessions.
“It depends [on the coaches] where the focus should mostly be.
“If it’s in the forwards, it would be on the flank and in the backs at centre.
“It all depends on what’s been planned for me for the week.”
He added: “It’s much tougher training in the forwards compared to the backs.”
There have been similar cases, such as Cheslin Kolbe playing scrumhalf and throwing the ball in at the line-out against Australia in 2024.
Pieter-Steph du Toit, who started his career as a lock and became the best player in the world in the No.7 jumper, reverted to the second row in that same Test and didn’t miss a beat.
Esterhuizen mentioned which teammates he feels can double up and be hybrid players for the World Champions in future.
“There are so many versatile players in our squad.
“Just looking at the backs, we have guys like Damian [Willemse] and Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] who can cover up to four positions.
“Damian de Allende could probably shift to flank if needed, and Kwagga [Smith] could go to the wing.
“I feel it’s easier to transition from the backline into the forwards than vice versa.”
