The Springboks’ preparations for Sunday’s Test against the Wallabies were disrupted when new captain Andre Esterhuizen became embroiled in a controversy over an old racial slur.
The world champions and the Wallabies are set to face off at the Optus Stadium in Perth but ahead of that clash there was a backlash on social media in South Africa over a racial slur which Esterhuizen made 14 years ago.
Journalists told to restrict questions to on-filed matters
Ahead of an online press conference on Saturday, journalists were told to restrict questions to Esterhuizen and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick to on-field matters.
However, a journalist still asked a question regarding the racial incident involving Esterhuizen, but a Springbok official quickly stepped in to shut it down, saying the matter would not be addressed in the press conference.
Esterhuizen, who is a hybrid player, was named at inside centre and appointed as the Springboks’ 68th Test captain for the one-off clash with the Wallabies by head coach Rassie Erasmus.
However, there has been plenty of criticism over his appointment to the leadership position and his involvement with the Boks due to that incident, which happened when the Boks’ hybrid player was 18 years old.
South African television and radio presenter Anele Mdoda led criticism on social media by saying Esterhuizen should be “banned from playing rugby, period” after Erasmus opted for him in the captaincy role ahead of previous Bok captains Eben Etzebeth and Handre Pollard.
In 2012, while attending Klerksdorp High, Esterhuizen was found guilty of using a racial slur during a school’s encounter against a Potchefstroom Gym coach.
The transgression had serious consequences for Esterhuizen as he subsequently received a one-year suspension and was dropped from the prestigious Leopards Craven Week squad.
When announcing Esterhuizen as captain, Erasmus explained that he wants the Sharks star to experience what it is like to lead his country as the Boks build leadership depth in the run-up to the World Cup.
“It wasn’t a question of who we were going to make captain; it was a question of whether we build our senior players so that everyone has a voice,” he told reporters.
‘We are trying to build our leadership group that way’
“A guy like Eben Etzebeth, whether he is captain or not, always brings the same attitude: a wise, calm head on his shoulders. Handre will always know what he’s doing when he’s playing; Jesse [Kriel] isn’t playing, but he’s been our captain, and Siya [Kolisi] obviously too. We are trying to build our leadership group that way.”
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Meanwhile, Esterhuizen said it’s an honour for him to be trusted with the Boks captaincy.
“I’m just going out with the captaincy role, but it’s still all about the team. We’ve got so many leaders that help each other. And ultimately, it’s what we all do together on the field,” he said.
“We play together, whether I’m talking, Eben’s talking, Siya’s talking… Yeah, so I’m taking it on as an honour, and I’m very happy about it, but ultimately, we’re all together as a team.
“If you look at Siya, he’s been a tremendous leader for the Springboks. And I’ve obviously played with him at the Sharks. Just to always see him composed and calm, doesn’t matter what the situation is, and obviously relying on the guys around him as well. He knows when to step back and when to step up.
“I think that’s something I’ve taken from him.”
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