It appears Rassie Erasmus has thrown a cheeky curveball in the latest team selection by benching André Esterhuizen for the upcoming test against Japan, but not for the reasons you might think. This weekend, Esterhuizen is set to don the number 20 jersey, but hold your horses, it’s not as a center. Erasmus has something else up his sleeve, positioning Esterhuizen as a backup flank. Yes, you read that right – a center as a flank. Rugby just got wild!
During a recent briefing, Erasmus shed some light on this unconventional choice. “Everyone thinks we eye him as a six flanker in this game and rightly so, that’s the way we see him in this game,” he explained. It’s not every day you see a backline behemoth ready to rumble in the rucks, but Esterhuizen seems poised to add a new layer to his rugby resume.
“Everyone thinks we eye him as a six flanker in this game and rightly so, that’s the way we see him in this game.”
The move has left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads, wondering about the tactical implications. Could this be a new trend in the making, or is Erasmus just experimenting ahead of more significant challenges? Whatever the case, it’s clear that flexibility and surprise are key components of Erasmus’s strategy.
This selection twist also highlights the depth and versatility within the Springboks squad. By shifting Esterhuizen from his usual center role to flanker, Erasmus not only showcases the player's adaptability but also strengthens the team's dynamic, keeping opponents guessing until the very last minute.
As the Boks gear up to face Japan, all eyes will be on Esterhuizen and his performance in this new role. Will this bold move pay off, or will it be back to the drawing board for Erasmus and his coaching staff? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – it’s going to be an intriguing match.
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It appears Rassie Erasmus has thrown a cheeky curveball in the latest team selection by benching André Esterhuizen for the upcoming test against Japan, but not for the reasons you might think. This weekend, Esterhuizen is set to don the number 20 jersey, but hold your horses, it’s not as a center. Erasmus has something else up his sleeve, positioning Esterhuizen as a backup flank. Yes, you read that right – a center as a flank. Rugby just got wild!
During a recent briefing, Erasmus shed some light on this unconventional choice. “Everyone thinks we eye him as a six flanker in this game and rightly so, that’s the way we see him in this game,” he explained. It’s not every day you see a backline behemoth ready to rumble in the rucks, but Esterhuizen seems poised to add a new layer to his rugby resume.
“Everyone thinks we eye him as a six flanker in this game and rightly so, that’s the way we see him in this game.”
The move has left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads, wondering about the tactical implications. Could this be a new trend in the making, or is Erasmus just experimenting ahead of more significant challenges? Whatever the case, it’s clear that flexibility and surprise are key components of Erasmus’s strategy.
This selection twist also highlights the depth and versatility within the Springboks squad. By shifting Esterhuizen from his usual center role to flanker, Erasmus not only showcases the player's adaptability but also strengthens the team's dynamic, keeping opponents guessing until the very last minute.
As the Boks gear up to face Japan, all eyes will be on Esterhuizen and his performance in this new role. Will this bold move pay off, or will it be back to the drawing board for Erasmus and his coaching staff? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – it’s going to be an intriguing match.
TEAM: Kolbe at 15 for Boks, debutant starts.