Springbok captain André Esterhuizen is ecstatic about leading the Springboks for the first time, a milestone that will see him officially becoming the 68th Bok skipper in history. Having made his Test debut back in 2018, the versatile midfielder has grown into one of the core leaders within the South African squad.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's upcoming Test match against Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth, Esterhuizen reflected on how his franchise experience has paved the way for this moment.
"Being a leader at your franchise prepares you, but also, in saying that, it’s so much easier here with so many guys around you that are all leaders," Esterhuizen said. "They help you in different areas of the game. So, stepping up into this is quite comfortable."
Despite taking on the captaincy role, the center emphasized that his primary focus remains on collective success. "It’s a privilege, and although I will be in the captaincy role, it’s still all about the team. Ultimately, it’s about what we all do together on the field. I’m taking it on as an honour, and I’m very happy about it, but in the end, it’s about the squad."
Head coach Rassie Erasmus opted for widespread squad rotation ahead of the weekend’s encounter, making 13 changes to the starting line-up. Regular captain Siya Kolisi and prop Thomas du Toit were both released from the camp due to the coaching staff possessing sufficient cover.
When asked if he had learned any leadership lessons from Kolisi, Esterhuizen spoke highly of his former Sharks teammate.
"If you look at Siya, he’s been a tremendous leader for the Springboks," Esterhuizen stated. "I’ve obviously played with him at the Sharks, and just always seeing him remain composed and calm, no matter what the situation, is amazing. He knows when to step back and when to step up, so I’ve taken a lot from him."