The Springboks’ decision to name centre André Esterhuizen as captain for the upcoming Test against the Wallabies has come under fire on social media after details of a racial abuse incident involving the hard-running centre resurfaced.
In 2012, as an 18-year-old playing for Klerksdorp High School against Potchefstroom Gymnasium, Esterhuizen was found guilty of directing a racial slur at Thabo Molete, who was then first-team coach at Potchefstroom Gymnasium and coach of the Leopards’ Grant Khomo side.
Public figures such as broadcaster Anele Mdoda shared a post of a 14-year-old news report on X, condemning the incident and adding: “He should be banned from playing rugby period!”
The post quickly drew widespread attention, bringing back into the spotlight an incident from Esterhuizen’s schoolboy playing days.
At the time, Esterhuizen appeared before a Leopards Rugby Union disciplinary panel, which subsequently handed him a one-year ban, suspended for six months on condition that he completed a life skills course. He was also removed from the Leopards’ Craven Week squad at the time.
Two years later, Esterhuizen moved to the Sharks where he started his professional career and will captain the team in the United Rugby Championship this season.
Esterhuizen is set to become the 68th captain of the Springboks after he was selected to lead the side against the Australians at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday (kickoff 11.45am SA Time).
Addressing the decision during the squad announcement on Tuesday, coach Rassie Erasmus highlighted Esterhuizen’s leadership growth, versatility, and commitment to the national team structure as some of the main reasons for the decision.
“André has been the Sharks’ captain and he’s been one of those players who, whenever you ask something of him, whether it’s playing as a hybrid player or playing behind Damian de Allende and Damian Willemse, sometimes playing a hell of a lot, and then accepting to play forward and be an impact player, he’s always embraced it.
“We would love to see him in this situation against a really strong Australian team. We feel it’s not just the honour of him getting the captaincy, but it will also help us as a team going forward into matches and closer to the World Cup to have more guys who know what it feels like to lead the Springboks.”
IOL Sport reached out to former Leopards president Andre May, who was unwilling to comment on the matter. At the time, May said in a statement that “I hope there is a life lesson for him, every player and official in this”.
IOL Sport also reached out to the Springboks’ communications department for comment on Wednesday afternoon, but is still awaiting a reply.
IOL
