Get Newsletter

VIDEO: Midfield warning lights flashing for Boks in Edinburgh

SPOTLIGHT: The Springboks are bracing themselves for a midfield battle of epic proportions when they come up against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Glasgow pairing of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones is one of the best in the business and will surely be a focal point of Scotland’s game plan.

It was just a few weeks ago when Tuipulotu produced a man-of-the-match performance in a win over the Stormers in Stellenbosch and last weekend Huw Jones showed off his attacking prowess by scoring two tries and assisting in a couple of others in Scotland’s  57-17 win over Fiji.

Going back a few months ago, they also played key roles in Glasgow’s victory over the Bulls in the 2023/24 United Rugby Championship Final in Pretoria.

The story continues below…

Video Spacer

“They are obviously a great centre pairing,” said Bok and Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I think we watched many games where they are tearing up defences in the international setup and for Glasgow as well. They are two great players.

“I’ve played with Huw Jones for a couple of years at Harlequins, so I know him quite well.”

The story continues below…

ADVERTISEMENT

On Tuipulotu, Esterhuizen added: “Tuipulotu is a great player in terms of his distribution and he is hard to run at. He is also a hard carrier as well.”

“He is a phenomenal player. I’ve played against him a few times now and I’ve seen him play a lot.

“Whoever plays it’s going to be a great battle.

“We know them and we’ve analysed them as a team and personally as well.”

The story continues below…

Video Spacer

Esterhuizen believes his former teammate Jones has made that No.13 jersey his own after he was struggling to get into the Scotland squad a few years ago.

“I think he just joined Quins [in 2021] and he was in between positions.

“I know Quins didn’t actually want to let him go and eventually things worked out for him to go to Glasgow.

“He settled in so nicely in the No.13 position for Glasgow and then he got back into the Scotland squad.

“It also makes it so much easier, like I’ve seen previously for myself, to play with someone who is already in the setup, like pairing up with Tuipulotu.

“He has been playing great rugby and he is a brilliant player.”

@rugby365com

Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for the latest episode of Walk the Talk to discuss his move to the NFL. Watch now on RugbyPass TV

Join free

Behind the scenes with South Africa's 7s stars in Dubai | EMBEDDED | E01

Best Moments from the Autumn Nations Series in 2024

Behind the Scenes | World Rugby Awards

Cian Healy | Record Breaker

Boks Office | Episode 29 | Autumn Nations Review

Teaching Antoine Dupont about SVNS! | HSBC Life on Tour

Two Sides - Behind the scenes with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa | E01

Portugal Rugby | Inspiring the next generation

Write A Comment