Mzwandile Stick is eagerly anticipating André Esterhuizen's dynamic role in the upcoming clash against England this Saturday at Ellis Park. Meanwhile, the Springboks' assistant coach downplayed concerns over the absence of a traditional lock among the reserves. Rassie Erasmus has opted for a conventional 5-3 bench structure, straying from his usual preference for a forward-heavy split. This lineup includes the formidable Esterhuizen, ready to deliver versatility and power from the bench.
Esterhuizen, known for his robust play, could appear in multiple positions during the game, reflecting a strategic ambiguity that Stick appreciates. "It's actually nice now where we don't get asked about the 7-1 or 6-2 split – I think now even you guys as media, you probably also got confused with André being around, because that’s what he does,” Stick expressed in a pre-match press conference.
"It’s difficult for other teams to know or understand where André is going to make an impact on the field. We as coaches also get excited – we don’t know even tomorrow which position he is going to play,”
Stick also highlighted Esterhuizen's enjoyment in his fluid role, which has seen him score critical tries and adapt to various positions effectively. "If something happens, he can step up as a 12, he is one of the best 12s in the world. You saw the try he scored against the Baa-Baas. And then on the other side, there’s the impact that he had last year when he was playing as a six [flanker] and as a four lock," Stick added.
The adaptability theme extends to Pieter-Steph du Toit, another versatile player who has proven his worth across the pack. "Pieter-Steph understands very well that if we need him to step up at lock, he will assist us there. We’re not worried at all. He has done the job for us in the past so I don’t think there’s a risk at all when it comes to that," Stick reassured.
"Later on in the game, we’ll start to see it open up and having Pieter-Steph, with his pace, can even bring a massive positive impact in our system,"
Turning to the upcoming match, Stick acknowledged the strengths of the English squad, particularly highlighting Fin Smith's vibrant presence at flyhalf and the overall pace in their backline. He respects England's pride in their forward play and their tactical kicking game, noting that the Springboks are braced for a robust confrontation up front.
This strategic reshuffling of players like Esterhuizen and Du Toit underscores a broader tactical flexibility that could be pivotal in Saturday's game. As the teams prepare to face off, the anticipation builds not just for a rugby match, but for a chess match on grass, where every move and countermove could swing the outcome.