The Japan Times - Springbok coach Erasmus introduces 'hybrid player' Esterhuizen

When replacement back Andre Esterhuizen came on early in the second half of the non-cap exhibition match for the world champions, it was as a loose forward.

"You can call him a hybrid player -- he is a backline player who can also play in the forwards now," Erasmus told a press conference.

"You can have a forward covering a back position like (flanker) Kwagga Smith covering wing, and you can have a back covering a forward position, like Andre.

"We started chatting to Andre about it five months ago, now he is a backline player who can also play as a forward."

Former Springboks flanker Erasmus, who played key coaching roles in the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup triumphs of South Africa, is a master innovator.

He is best known for changing the traditional five forwards-three backs split on the substitutes' bench, choosing six-two and even seven-one combinations instead.

Erasmus hailed lock Lood de Jager, back in the team after a two-year absence with a career-threatening heart illness andthen injuries.

"The condition that he had was almost career ending, but when we did the fitness testing three weeks ago, he was exceptional," said the coach.

- Lock depth -

"His body might be 32 or 33, but he has had some 'rest' in the last couple of years, and I think that showed.

"We are very glad Lood came through, and we have some nice depth at lock now," said Erasmus, referring to eight locks in a 45-man squad for three July Tests against Italy and Georgia.

After torrential rain during the eight-try victory over the Baabaas, Erasmus said he was hoping for dry weather when the record four-time Rugby World Cup title-holders face Italy on July 5.

"Some of the half gaps and some of the line breaks we made today would have stuck if the weather had been drier," he said.

"We cannot wait to play on a dry pitch and improve our attack. We want to get better and in the next three matches we will be trying to focus on ourselves before the Rugby Championship.

"We know who is going to play in the two Tests against Italy, and certainly by the end of the Georgia game, which will be a grind, we will have a group that have had some game time.

"We will not get carried away with this performance, (but) some of the newer guys showed us that they can do it at this level," added Erasmus.

Democratic Republic of Congo-born flanker Vincent Tshituka from the Sharks, one of four debutants, scored two tries.

South Africa face Italy in Pretoria, then in Gqeberha on July 12 before a one-off Test against Georgia in Mbombela on July 19.

Two Rugby Championship fixtures each against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina follow between August and October.

November Tests in France, Italy, Ireland and Wales complete the schedule for the Springboks, who will defend the World Cup in Australia in 2027.

K.Tanaka--JT