VIDEO: The 'home ground' advantage the Boks have at Twickenham
South Africa will have one distinct advantage when they face off against New Zealand in a World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham on Friday – the venue.
Springbok players are more familiar with the intricacies of the iconic venue – with centre Andre Esterhuizen calling the nearby Twickenham Stoop home.
Nicknamed ‘Andre The Giant’, Esterhuizen joined Harlequins from the Durban-based Sharks during the backend of the 2019/20 season.
An abrasive yet skilful centre, Esterhuizen made ‘the Stoop his home for the last three years.
He admitted that the experience of so many players playing in Europe gives the Boks the advantage of knowing the European conditions.
“I know Twickenham well,” Esterhuizen told a media briefing in the build-up to Friday’s pre-World Cup face-off with the All Blacks.
Having been with Harlequins for the last three years, the 29-year-old has made 70-odd appearances for Quins.
“A lot of [Bok] players have played here before,” he said of the South Africans’ familiarity with the Twickenham turf and stadium.
“It is a bit of an advantage.
“We have a few pointers [about the stadium].”
Named Rugby Players’ Association players’ player of the year in 2022, he said an ‘epic’ encounter is looming against the All Blacks.
However, Esterhuizen was not concerned about the risk of injuries and said the Boks will give as good as they get at a sell-out Twickenham.
“I don’t think you hold back anything ever in a Test,” the centre said.
“Every Test match is important for us, so we’ll give everything we can on the field and do our best.
“There’s a good chance we’ll meet them in the [World Cup] quarterfinal, so this is a good opportunity for us.”
The Harlequins centre said both teams will benefit from meeting twice in one year, ahead of a potential World Cup quarterfinal clash.
“To face them twice in the build-up to the World Cup is good for our build-up to the tournament, so we want to make the most of this match and opportunity on the field.”
He said the Boks are not looking for ‘payback’ after the disheartening 20-35 loss to New Zealand in Auckland last month.
(WATCH as Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen previews the Twickenham Test against the All Blacks…)
“We let ourselves down in Auckland, so as a team, we have to ensure we give it all from the start.
“One can’t always ask for a good start, but what we can do from our side is to approach the game with intensity and physicality from the outset.”
Esterhuizen also gave his new midfield partner, Canan Moodie, his full backing.
“Playing with Canan – he is a very exciting player and everyone has seen that he can finish [score tries] when he gets the ball in hand,” said Esterhuizen.
“He must just go out there and do what he does every game – stay composed.
“I have no doubt we’ll link up well together.”
The Harlequins star missed out on the 2019 World Cup in Japan by a hair, but has made the most of his opportunities and a larger 33-player squad to crack the nod this year.
“I’m very excited to get more opportunities this year.
“Every game I just want to do my best,” Esterhuizen said.
With plenty of competition in the Bok squad, Esterhuizen it forces the players to raise their own standards.
“Everyone wants to start every weekend, and no one is complacent. `
“When we put on the jersey we are playing for the team and doing our best for the team.”
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