Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has announced that André Esterhuizen will captain the team in their one-off Test against Australia in Perth on Sunday. Esterhuizen, the franchise captain of the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship (URC), will become the 68th player to captain the Springboks. Erasmus believes Esterhuizen's versatility, experience, and leadership qualities make him the ideal man for the job. The 32-year-old has established himself as one of the most versatile players in the world champions' squad, having played at centre, loose forward, and as a hybrid impact player off the bench.
Erasmus made 13 changes to the starting team after the four-Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks. The new-look Springbok side will feature a young front-row combination in hooker Johan Grobbelaar, tighthead prop Zachary Porthen, and loosehead Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Canan Moodie will also get a run at outside centre, while Edwill van der Merwe takes his place on the wing. Handré Pollard and Herschel Jantjies will form a new combination at flyhalf and scrumhalf. The team will be looking to build cohesion on the run, with several players having had limited game time during the international season.
Erasmus handing Esterhuizen the captaincy is part of a wider plan to develop the team's leadership group ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Alongside skipper Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, and other senior players like Handré Pollard and Jesse Kriel, the Boks will have a strong leadership core. Erasmus explained that the decision to make Esterhuizen captain was not a difficult one, citing his experience and leadership qualities. Esterhuizen has been the Sharks' captain and has shown his ability to lead the team through difficult periods.
Esterhuizen's leadership during his time with the Sharks was highlighted by Erasmus, particularly when the Durban franchise went through tough periods. Under Esterhuizen as skipper and with head coach JP Pietersen, the Sharks had some strong games despite a tough URC and Champions Cup season. Erasmus also pointed to Esterhuizen's versatility and ability to play in different positions, making him an ideal candidate for the captaincy.
The Springboks will be looking to build momentum ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and Erasmus believes that giving Esterhuizen the captaincy will help the team achieve this goal. Erasmus also noted that the team will have to adapt to a new combination of players, with several players having had limited game time during the international season. The Boks will be facing a strong Australian team, but Erasmus is confident that they will be able to adapt.
Erasmus also discussed the challenges of building cohesion on the run, citing the team's recent performances against Argentina. He noted that the team had struggled with a stop-start performance against Argentina, but was encouraged by the players' hunger to play and their desire to make an impact. Erasmus is confident that the team will be able to adapt to the new combination of players and make a strong showing against Australia.
The Springboks will take to the field with a new-look side, featuring 13 changes from the previous team. The starting XV will include Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, André Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker, Handré Pollard, Herschel Jantjies, Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Paul de Villiers, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Zachary Porthen, Johan Grobbelaar, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels. The replacements will include Malcolm Marx, Ox Nché, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Jasper Wiese, Morné van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Quan Horn.
Key points
- André Esterhuizen to captain the Springboks against Australia on Sunday
- Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to the starting team after the four-Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks
- Esterhuizen's versatility, experience, and leadership qualities make him the ideal man to captain the Springboks against Australia
