Latest news with #Esterhuizen
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Unpredictable and powerful: Esterhuizen's hybrid threat boosts Boks against Wallabies
Springbok supporters must wait until Saturday afternoon to see if centre André Esterhuizen will reprise his role as a hybrid player against the Wallabies in the opening Rugby Championship Test. Esterhuizen was coy about giving anything away ahead of the duel as the world champions look to maintain their unbeaten run in the 2025 season against the Australians. He will partner with outside centre Jesse Kriel at Ellis Park in what should be an exciting midfield combination next to scrumhalf Grant Williams and flyhalf Manie Libbok. They will have the task to set the outside backs, wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe, and fullback Aphelele Fassi in space on the attack. 'I can't disclose that,' Esterhuizen said when asked about his hybrid role. 'We will have to wait and see. However, we are looking forward to an exciting game. It has been building up for the last two weeks. Not the first Test, but if you look at how the Wallabies played against the Lions, they improved. They were physical in those games, and that is the battle we expect. 'Any time a team plays South Africa, the first thing they focus on is to meet us with physicality. But we are well-prepared for that. The last two weeks, we have grafted in camp and everyone put in the hours. The bodies felt it.' According to Esterhuizen, it has been a lot easier this week as they prepared for the Test with their legs not feeling the hard work as they did during the camp. The Boks acknowledged that they had to increase their physicality, as evident in the last three Tests against Georgia, and that is what they have worked on. As a group, the Springboks felt they were not at the desired level after those matches, and they needed to pick up their fitness and physicality. On the development of his game and getting more playing minutes, Esterhuizen said the rotation policy at the Boks allowed him to take the pressure off and focus on his game when called upon.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Unpredictable and powerful: Esterhuizen's hybrid threat boosts Boks against Wallabies
Springbok inside centre André Esterhuizen will look to put in some more bulldozing runs on Saturday against Australia in the first Rugby Championship Test in Johannesburg. Image: Backpagepix Springbok supporters must wait until Saturday afternoon to see if centre André Esterhuizen will reprise his role as a hybrid player against the Wallabies in the opening Rugby Championship Test. Esterhuizen was coy about giving anything away ahead of the duel as the world champions look to maintain their unbeaten run in the 2025 season against the Australians. He will partner with outside centre Jesse Kriel at Ellis Park in what should be an exciting midfield combination next to scrumhalf Grant Williams and flyhalf Manie Libbok. They will have the task to set the outside backs, wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe, and fullback Aphelele Fassi in space on the attack. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'I can't disclose that,' Esterhuizen said when asked about his hybrid role. 'We will have to wait and see. However, we are looking forward to an exciting game. It has been building up for the last two weeks. Not the first Test, but if you look at how the Wallabies played against the Lions, they improved. They were physical in those games, and that is the battle we expect. 'Any time a team plays South Africa, the first thing they focus on is to meet us with physicality. But we are well-prepared for that. The last two weeks, we have grafted in camp and everyone put in the hours. The bodies felt it.' The #Springboks are braced for a battle-hardened Wallabies in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener at Ellis Park.#ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) August 14, 2025 According to Esterhuizen, it has been a lot easier this week as they prepared for the Test with their legs not feeling the hard work as they did during the camp. The Boks acknowledged that they had to increase their physicality, as evident in the last three Tests against Georgia, and that is what they have worked on. As a group, the Springboks felt they were not at the desired level after those matches, and they needed to pick up their fitness and physicality. On the development of his game and getting more playing minutes, Esterhuizen said the rotation policy at the Boks allowed him to take the pressure off and focus on his game when called upon.
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Three Springboks with everything to gain against Wallabies
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus selected a star-studded matchday 23 for this weekend's Test against the Wallabies, and there aren't all that many 'newcomers' who have cracked the nod for this tournament opener. However, there are still some big opportunities for a few 'fringe' players, and here we look at three who can truly shake things up with a big performance. Edwill van der Merwe The talented wing has made a flying start to his Test career, but there is no doubt that this Saturday's Test against the Wallabies will present his biggest challenge to date. With Cheslin Kolbe rested as a precaution due to an injury niggle, Van der Merwe must make the most of this rare opportunity to don the No 14 in such a high-profile fixture, and to prove that there is not all that much that separates him from his first-choice counterparts. Andre Esterhuizen In rapid fashion, Esterhuizen has become an integral member of the current Springbok group, particularly due to the fact he is viewed as a unique hybrid player who can cover centre and flank. Damian de Allende is virtually irreplaceable at inside centre, but this is another game where Esterhuizen can demonstrate just how much he has progressed as a player over the last 24 months, while ramping up the competition for that No 12 jersey. Marco van Staden With Siya Kolisi owning the No 6 jersey, the opportunity for Van Staden to earn a start in a 'big' game like this came as quite a surprise as the Springbok captain was instead shifted to eighthman. Van Staden has clearly been chosen for his impact at the breakdown, and to negate some of the Wallabies' threats in this area, and so it will be fascinating to see how he grabs this opportunity especially considering it surely won't be all that long before Kolisi returns to his more regular position at openside flank. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
06-08-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Markus Myburgh goes wire to wire at Winter Club Champs
Markus Myburgh ensured that the Myburgh name dominates the club competitions at Mbombela Golf Club in 2025, winning the Nedbank Winter Club Championships by three shots on Sunday. The championships were held over the weekend on Saturday and Sunday, with 18 holes played each day. Weather conditions on both days ensured that golfers were given a proper taste of a Lowveld winter as temperatures were chilly, and on Sunday some rain was also added to the mix to spice things up. More than 70 golfers took part in the competition this year, and they all had their golfing abilities properly tested. Myburgh was the diamond in the rough though, managing to go wire to wire to secure victory. A three-over round of 74 on day one ensured he held a one-shot lead over Warren Schippers and Chris Esterhuizen. With fine margins at play and all to play for on the second and final day, Myburgh held his nerve and fought hard to ensure he remained ahead of the chasing pack. His round of 75 was the joint-lowest round for the day. The four-over-par 75 helped keep Schippers and Esterhuizen – who scored 77 and 78 respectively – at bay. This meant Schippers secured second place while Esterhuizen rounded out the top three. Hylton Halfpenny's rounds of 79 and 77 helped him take fourth. He was followed by Christo Strydom (80 and 76) in fifth, Carl Potgieter (81 and 76) in sixth, Jason Wiid (82 and 75) in seventh, Frik de Beer (79 and 81) in eighth, JP Bessenger (83 and 84) in ninth and Luigi Colmanet (80 and 87) in 10th. In the men's B division, Leroux de Beer claimed bragging rights thanks to rounds of 81 and 84, beating Gerhard Knoetze on count-out as the two finished level on strokes played. Nidene Stapelberg won the ladies B division with scores of 89 and 91. Christo Bouwer triumphed in the men's C division thanks to his total of 72 points, while Tanya Fourie took the trophy in the ladies C division with 74 points. The Nedbank Winter Club Championships are one of two club championships competitions that Mbombela Golf Club host every year. The Liberty Mbombela Club Championships were held in March this year, where Carl Myburgh Jr emerged the victor. While Markus and Carl Jr are not family, there is undoubtedly a sense of pride in the notion that the Myburgh name appears on two different club championships trophies in 2025.
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ultimate 8-0 Springbok ‘bomb squad' is a reality, says Daan Human
The Springboks may yet stun the rugby world again and unleash an 8-0 'bomb squad' thanks to the new hybrid back. New hybrid back Andre Esterhuizen in action for the Springboks against the Barbarians in Cape Town over the past weekend. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Ever since the Springboks stunned the rugby world by picking a 7-1 forwards to backs bench split against an All Blacks team in a 35-7 rout at Twickenham in the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, people have wondered, would they dare to go 8-0? With the ultimate innovator, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus, launching his newest project over the past weekend in their 54-7 romp over the Barbarians in Cape Town — the hybrid back — it now becomes a distinct possibility. The Boks have featured the hybrid forward before, loose forward Kwagga Smith having played on the wing in the backline, but they had never had a hybrid back, until this past weekend, when specialist centre Andre Esterhuizen came on in the 44th minute at flank for Marco van Staden. It is now possible that the Boks could still use their 7-1 bench split in a match, with Esterhuizen the sole back replacement, and have him come on with the forwards instead to produce the ultimate 8-0 'bomb squad'. Bok scrum guru Daan Human was quizzed about that exact possibility at a Springbok press conference on Monday afternoon, and admitted that anything was possible with the amazing versatility of the Bok players. 'Sometimes when those type of questions come my way I keep it sweet and short and refer them to Rassie. But I think I can contribute,' said a smiling Human. 'Whether it is as a back or as a forward, whether we go 8-0, 7-1, 6-2 or even 4-4, it is doable. I just think it (having that option) is helping us. And at the moment when it helps the Boks get better to perform for the country, then I'm happy about the decision.' Ideal hybrid back Human explained that Esterhuizen's size and speed made him an ideal candidate to double as a loose forward, and that as he continues to learn and adapt to the Bok scrum, it would add to their options going forward. 'Well potentially he is becoming so vital for us. If you think now, he is a hybrid player, and he is pretty big, bigger than some of our flankers. He is certainly bigger than Kwagga. I can assure you we are very happy with his size coming into the scrum,' said Human. 'I think he went very well for the first time (over the weekend), although I don't think it was the first time he has played flank. If I'm right, he played there for the Sharks as well. So it went very well and I am glad for him. ' Last week Erasmus also revealed a secret scrum camp at Human's farm in Bloemfontein, which Bok props Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Jan-Hendrik Wessels attended. Human was asked if an invitation had been extended to Esterhuizen, with him replying with a laugh: 'I'm sure he can still develop his scrumming and mauling ability. But he hasn't gone to the farm yet, he hasn't got his invite yet, but he will soon.'
