Hybrid Hero Helps Sharks Bite Back

Springboks star Andre Esterhuizen is hoping the Hollywoodbets Sharks have turned the corner as they head into Saturday’s huge South African derby against the Vodacom Bulls in Durban.

The Sharks won just one of their first seven matches in all competitions this season, but their fortunes changed last weekend when they claimed a 28-23 victory at home to Saracens in the Investec Champions Cup.

There were tries from ‘Boks Siya Kolisi, Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe and Grant Williams as they picked up maximum points to revive their hopes of reaching the knock-out stages.

Now they turn their attention back to the Vodacom URC for the meeting with the Bulls at a packed Kings Park as they look to move up from 14th in the league table.

Centre Esterhuizen was skipper for the much-needed win over Saracens as he marked his 100th appearance for the franchise in style with a Player of the Match display.

“Hopefully, we have turned the corner and can start building momentum,” said the 31-year-old.

“During the week before the game, we had a lot of honest conversations. The players understood that they had to take accountability for everything that had happened.

“I was proud of the boys for the way we got stuck in. It was tough, it was tight, my voice was almost gone from screaming on defence.”

It was the first game with former Springboks winger JP Pietersen at the coaching helm following the departure of John Plumtree.

Esterhuizen commented: “There were big changes, so we needed to reset and have a plan for the boys to follow as a team, not as individuals.

“You could see the teamwork coming through, notably on defence. There were quite a few instances where we just kept tackling and tackling as a unit. I was very proud of the way we played. We have something to build on.”

Esterhuizen, who will continue as captain against the Bulls, is in the form of his life right now, having also been Player of the Match in South Africa’s 73-0 demolition of Wales at the Principality Stadium last month.

The 6ft 4ins, 19st 7lbs powerhouse has been handed a hybrid role by ‘Boks boss Rassie Erasmus this year, being employed in the back row as well as at centre.

“It’s been a good experience. I have enjoyed it and I believe it is a good attribute for the future,” he said.

“It offers so many more options. As one gets older, you learn how you can slot into different positions and it helps to get into the team more constantly.

“One needs to learn to adapt as a player. I think it helps me as a player personally and it helps the team as well.”

Born in Potchefstroom in the North West province, Esterhuizen started out with the Sharks more than a decade ago, then had spells in Japan and in England with Harlequins before returning to Durban last year.

His new head coach Pietersen said: “I remember Andre’s debut. I was playing when he came on the wing against the Hurricanes in New Zealand in 2014 and we played a lot of games together.

“He’s grown so much. He’s become a proper all-round player – they call him the hybrid now.

“I’m very proud of him. The way he leads, the way he talks, his decision-making on the field. I don’t need to step in much, which tells you he’s a natural leader.”

Adding his thoughts on the win over Saracens, Pietersen said: “It wasn’t a perfect performance, but you could see afterwards how much it meant to the players in the changing room.

“A win like that gives you belief, hope and lifts the energy in the environment. It gives you motivation and confidence going into the next game.

“We know the Bulls won’t be easy – they’re desperate as well – but what a challenge it’s going to be.”