Team Talk: The 'Giant' Esterhuizen call will boost Boks in long term

OPINION: Rassie Erasmus’ decision to hand André Esterhuizen the captaincy for the one-off Test against Australia will benefit the Springboks at the 2027 World Cup and beyond.

Erasmus has made a host of changes to the Springbok side that faced the All Blacks in Baltimore two weeks ago.

As many as nine players who missed out on selection across the Greatest Rivalry Tests have been backed for the one-off against the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday.

Four players who previously featured in the opening clash against the All Blacks at Ellis Park – namely Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Zachary Porthen, Paul de Villiers and Marco van Staden – have been reinstated.

It’s a largely experimental side, and Erasmus will get some valuable answers regarding individuals and combinations with a view to the World Cup on Australian soil next year.

*Also read: Rassie names new Bok skipper to face Australia

That said, the Bok coach has included stalwarts such as Eben Etzebeth, Handré Pollard and Franco Mostert in the starting XV and stacked his bench with a clutch of seasoned forwards as well as the squad’s form halfback combination.

All in all, it’s an exciting unit with the potential to put Australia to the sword.

There’s also at least one big call that could boost the Boks in the long term.

The decision to hand Esterhuizen the captaincy suggests that Erasmus and company are looking to expand the leadership group a year out from the World Cup.

Fitness permitting, Siya Kolisi will travel to the global tournament as the official captain, while Pieter-Steph du Toit – who took the reins in the Nations Championship and in the first Test against the All Blacks – will provide another strong option.
Eben Etzebeth has done the job before, as have Jesse Kriel and Pollard, while Thomas du Toit previously led South Africa A on the 2022 tour to Europe.

Deon Fourie has been tasked with leading the Boks towards the end of big matches, after Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and others have been subbed.

The Boks clearly aren’t short on options at this stage, and after Sunday’s clash, they will add another influential player to the list.

When asked about the decision on Tuesday, Erasmus pointed out that Esterhuizen has already done the job for the Sharks at club level.

The coach went onto to explain that the team needs to trial more players in the position of ultimate responsibility before the World Cup.

What makes this call particularly interesting is the fact that Esterhuizen’s role within the Bok side has changed a great deal over the past two seasons.

Erasmus has pushed the hulking specimen to cover flank as well as centre, and has often deployed the “hybrid” as needed towards the end of marquee Tests.

Esterhuizen was one of the standout performers in the recent series against the All Blacks, and made a massive contribution on the flank in the last three matches.

The Sharks stalwart will start the coming match at No 12, and it remains to be see whether he will switch to flank late in the contest and ensure that the Boks finish the game with an entirely different back row.

His leadership during the latter stages will be under scrutiny, and Erasmus will hope that the big man passes the test.

While some of the older players have proved that they have what it takes to contribute to another World Cup campaign, it remains to be seen whether all of the leaders will last 80 minutes across four potential playoffs next year.

Perhaps Esterhuizen – in his role as a hybrid deployed from the bench – will provide the group with another strong leadership option at the back end of those do-or-die fixtures.

This Sunday, he will partner Canan Moodie in the midfield and line up alongside another familiar face in Pollard.

While Van Staden will provide the Boks with a strong ball-carrying option, the selection of two specialist fetchers in the starting back row feels significant, especially against a side like Australia, who are known for their breakdown prowess.

The Boks’ own breakdown threat should be amplified by Johan Grobbelaar in the first half and Malcolm Marx in the second.

The Bok pack should grow stronger as the game progresses, with Ox Nché, Marx and Wilco Louw – arguably the team’s most potent scrummaging front row – as well as Lood de Jager and Jasper Wiese set for an explosive second-half cameo.

Meanwhile, Morné van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will have another chance to play in tandem, after starting in Baltimore two weeks ago.

The selection of Quan Horn should keep the Aussies guessing.

The Lions fullback was used by the Boks at flyhalf earlier this season – and certainly made an impact against the Barbarians and Scotland.

It remains to be seen whether Horn will replace Pollard or Aphelele Fassi in the latter stages of the coming contest, and indeed which backline players will finish the match.

Erasmus will have the option of a significant backline reshuffle, with Esterhuizen potentially joining the forwards and Ethan Hooker – another standout from the Greatest Rivalry series – moving into the midfield.