Esterhuizen's return put on ice

SPOTLIGHT: Sharks Currie Cup coach JP Pietersen has shared the latest news regarding the much-anticipated on-field return of Springbok star Andre Esterhuizen in the black jersey.

Esterhuizen rejoined the Sharks in March of this year from Premierhsip club Harlequins.

The centre was with the English side since 2020 when he first left the Durban-based franchise.

The powerhouse midfielder was named in the Springboks squad for their July Series against Ireland and Portugal.

Unfortunately, he received a four-match ban for a red card offence during the historic win over Portugal in Bloemfontein.

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The 30-year-old midfielder was initially issued with a yellow card by Scottish referee Hollie Davidson for head-on-head contact with opposite number Jose Lima at the Free State Stadium.

However, Esterhuizen’s yellow card was upgraded to red after a TMO bunker review.

He was consequently left out of the Springboks’ Rugby Championship squad.

This week there was speculation that the centre might take to the field for the Sharks when they face Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in Round Seven of the Currie Cup.

However, despite completing his suspension the Sharks supporters will have to wait a little longer to see him take to the field.

“Andre [Esterhuizen] is available to play,” said Pietersen following the team announcement.

“He is training with John Plumtree in the United Rugby Championship [URC] team, so unfortunately, I don’t have access to him for this weekend’s match.”

Despite the midfielder not being in action this week, the Cheetahs had a plan for the imposing threat.

“He [Esterhuizen] is a big guy,” said Cheetahs Director of Rugby Francois Steyn.

“I really enjoyed him a lot when I was at the Springboks.

“Luckily we all built the same, two legs, two arms, so we just need to tackle him around his ankles.”

#SPOTLIGHT: The battle for Currie Cup semifinal spots is heating up! #rugby #news #sports @CurrieCupRugby https://t.co/O1K3Z846rY

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 15, 2024