Turning Esterhuizen into a hybrid player has paid off handsomely

Having a player such as André Esterhuizen who can operate at flank and centre was crucial for the Springboks during their 32-17 win over France. By Craig Ray

- By Craig Ray

Rassie Erasmus and the Springbok coaching staff are well known for their innovations and constant search to view rugby differently, and it has often paid off.

From 6-2 and 7-1 benches, scrums from marks, wings and scrumhalves being used as jumpers in line-outs or even throwing in at line-outs to colour-coded lights to send messages, midfield mauls, first-half tactical substitutions and wholesale, simultaneous subs (the bomb squad), Erasmus and his cohorts push boundaries.

Most work well, some don't work at all, but innovation is encouraged. No idea is too outrageous to put on the table, although not all see the light of day. There are limits, even for Rassie and co.

Erasmus revealed earlier this year that 1.93m, 115kg centre André Esterhuizen would adopt a "hybrid" role in which he would also be used as a flank.

At first glance, it's not unique. Damian de Allende has often scrummed at flank after a loose forward's sin-binning. Several other teams have done something similar, too. But those are short-term, stopgap measures that all teams need to employ occasionally when forced into them.

The Esterhuizen situation was different because Erasmus wanted it to be a tactical plan to improve the team, give it more balance in certain games and, crucially, perform a dual role in the event of a red card.

And against Les Bleus at the Stade de France on 8 November, the plan paid off after lock Lood de Jager was red-carded in the 39th minute. Esterhuizen played the entire second half, generally at flank when the Boks were on attack and at centre when they defended - especially off the set piece.