Injured’ Springbok Centre Returns WAY Ahead of Rassie Erasmus’ Timeline in bizarre twist
Springboks centre Andre Esterhuizen will return to action with the Sharks this weekend in the Currie Cup semi-final against the Bulls.
The powerhouse midfielder has been omitted from Rassie Erasmus’ squad to travel to Argentina in the Rugby Championship after the Bok boss explained that he was sidelined through injury.
Andre Esterhuizen returns
Esterhuizen featured in South Africa’s victory over Wales earlier this year before starting against Portugal in July. However, his shift against Os Lobos was cut short after he was red-carded in the second minute of the match.
The World Cup winner was subsequently handed a four-match ban which would have still made him available for the Rugby Championship matches as he would serve the suspension in Currie Cup games.
However, that was not the case as he was omitted from the Springboks squad with Erasmus explaining that he was using this time to treat some niggles.
At the end of August, the Bok boss said that Esterhuizen would be sidelined for three or four months but, in a bizarre twist, he has been named in the Sharks‘ starting XV for the crunch Currie Cup semi-final against the Bulls.
Sharks Currie Cup semi-final team
Head coach John Plumtree has made six alterations and one rotational change to this team from the final round of the regular season.
Esterhuizen is one of those as he slips into the midfield along with fellow Springbok Francois Venter, while Ethan Hooker replaces Makazole Mapimpi on the wing. Eduan Keyter takes over from Lili Bester on the wing with Jordan Hendrikse at fullback while Bradley Davids and Siya Masuku are the starting halfbacks.
Vincent Tshituka captains the Sharks from the side of the scrum with newly capped Springbok Phepsi Buthelezi at number eight and James Venter at openside flanker. Corne Rahl and Emile van Heerden are the starting locks while hooker Fez Mbatha is flanked by props Ntuthuko Mchunu and Hanro Jacobs.
The Sharks have split their squads for the tournament with the URC team taking over in the latter stages of the Currie Cup and captain Tshituka hopes that the team can capitalise on the foundation laid down for them.
“The guys who played in the Currie Cup played so well and there’s a responsibility on us coming from the URC squad to finish the good work they’ve done,” he explains.
The way they picked up the season after the start they had is amazing. It’s easy to give up when you’re down and out, but they turned their season around and gave us the opportunity to be in a play-off this weekend. The guys were incredible in the last couple of games and it’s a massive responsibility for us, we know that.”
Plumtree added: “We know what the Bulls are like at Loftus and there is a lot of prep required, plus a lot of mental prep for the players to keep a calm mind but to also bring the attitude over the weekend.
“It’s going to be a bloody game, one when two big forces are meeting. We aren’t the favourites, we’re well aware of that
“But for me, that’s motivation, I love being the underdog, it just puts a different kind of fire in your belly.”
Sharks XV v Bulls
Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Litelihle Bester
Date: Saturday, September 14
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Local kick-off: 17:00
Referee: AJ Jacobs
