Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus on Friday explained his decision to include Andre Esterhuizen on the bench instead of Kwagga Smith.
“The bad thing for Andre was to get into the match-23 when he was just covering No.12. We have Damian de Allende, Damian Willemse, Handre Pollard, who can all play 12, Ethan can play 12, Sacha can play 12, as can Lukhanyo.
“So for Andre to make the match-23 with his athleticism and physicality, it’s either he starts or he is out, because you seldom put a No.12 on the bench.”
“He has played 12 all his life, but we’ve slowly given him a trial against a Tier Two team, against the Barbarians, and then against Japan, fully going into six. And he is now used to all the mauling and line-out calls.”
“If the game goes according to plan against the French with a 6-2 split with massive men, the Boks would probably need Esterhuizen among the forwards.”
“But if there’s an early injury at 12, he will probably go to 12. That is just the option that really helps us, and that is where a guy like Kwagga missed out.”
“If Kwagga was playing, we would’ve taken some chances if we had an injury at wing, then Kwagga would’ve had to help out there. And he did it wonderfully before. But now you have a true backline player who can play six and eight.”