Kwagga's tips for Esterhuizen's hybrid role
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith offered some tips on how his teammate, André Esterhuizen, can improve his game as a hybrid player.
Esterhuizen has made a couple of appearances for the Boks as a flanker so far this season.
His first was as a replacement during an international friendly against the Barbarians, and the other against Italy when he shifted to the side of the scrum following Jasper Wiese’s red card.
The bulky 114-kilogram centre seamlessly slotted into the No.6 role.
Depending on the match situation, he could be utilised in the same capacity against Argentina this Saturday at Kings Park.
Smith praised his teammate for embracing the dual position and offered some insight into areas where Esterhuizen could improve.
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“I’ve known Andre [Esterhuizen] for a long time.
“We actually played Sevens together. He was a tighthead [prop] and I was a hooker, so we played together in the forwards.
“He’s got the size and physicality, and he is massive.
“The only area he could get a little better at is the technical stuff in the set-pieces, that’s about it.
“We as loose forwards play with width in our attacking structure, and on defence we defend on the outside channels.
“That’s not a big difference for him shifting from centre to loose forward.
“The only areas he could be better in are in the line-outs and scrums, but I must add he’s been quite good at it.
“He’s used every opportunity in unit sessions and in training to do [line-out] lifts and other work when he trains at No.6.
“If he needs to play there, he will definitely be comfortable doing so, and it will be quite exciting to see.”
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Esterhuizen’s bench role will have opposition teams scratching their heads.
The Boks, in their last two outings against New Zealand, went with the traditional 5/3 bench split in favour of the forwards.
Esterhuizen could come on at inside centre or No.6 – which in this instance would technically make it a 6/2 split.
It’s a masterstroke, but it also showcases the quality that the Boks possess within their depth, making them a scary prospect to face.
Smith, who started just 19 out of his 57 Tests, joins Esterhuizen on the bench.
His role as an impact player when the match goes a bit loose has been immense.
He has made vital steals and plays, such as his two turnovers in the 2023 World Cup Final in the space of a couple of minutes.
While many players love to start every match, for Smith, it’s about the bigger picture.
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“To me, it’s about serving the team, whether I start or come off the bench,” Smith said.
“Making every opportunity count is important to me.
“You never know when it’s the last time you put on that green jersey.
“Every opportunity I get, I try to do my best, serve the team and also try to enjoy it.
“I mean, we’re not getting any younger, so we must use every opportunity and enjoy it, because that’s why you play the game.”
