Esterhuizen's hybrid role another game-changer

ONE thing about Springboks’ coach Rassie Erasmus is that he keeps us and the rest of the rugby world on their toes.

- JOHN GOLIATH

Going into the international season, a lot of people would have wondered about what he has up his sleeve for 2025. What is he going to cook next?

Well, on a wet, windy and cold night against the Barbarians at DHL Stadium, all was revealed early on in the second half when the “bomb squad” took the field.

Erasmus sent on his entire bench, all of eight of them. Among them Andre Esterhuizen, with probably everyone in the stadium thinking he was coming on to replace inside centre Damian de Allende. However, at second glance De Allende was still on the field some people in the press box thought the Boks had 16 men on the field.

However, to many supporters and pundits' surprise, Esterhuizen packed down at flank and the new Rassie bombshell was revealed.