Andre Esterhuizen returns to lead the Sharks as they hunt for a vital win against the Ospreys. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
There will be a flood of changes to the under-strength Sharks team that lost to Connacht a fortnight ago for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match against the Ospreys, but none more important than the return of Andre Esterhuizen.
The sledgehammer centre is quite possibly the team’s best player, while his leadership over the final rounds of the competition will be critical for the Sharks. It is fair to say that while "Andre the Giant" is leading the way, the Sharks have a decent shot at elevating themselves from 10th to eighth and qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Esterhuizen is that important to the Sharks’ cause. He is a man of few words but speaks volumes by leading from the front. On Tuesday, the 32-year-old opened up about his first captaincy role, which came late in his career and not under the best circumstances—incoming coach JP Pietersen gave him the leadership armband after the sacking of John Plumtree late last year.
Esterhuizen promptly delivered a Player of the Match performance in the Sharks’ Champions Cup defeat of Saracens in Durban on 13 December.
“Captaincy has been a bit of a challenge; it is not something I am used to. I’m enjoying it, trying to keep the spirits up and leading the team in the right direction,” Esterhuizen said ahead of the visit to the Ospreys.
“Leadership is a positive for me. I must lead by example, and I have a great bunch of guys to work with. They need someone to follow — hopefully I can provide that, and we steer this thing in the right direction with what is left of the season and into the new season.”
The 29-cap Springbok said captaincy had never been something he sought.
“It was not something that I worked for,” he said. "I think I lead a little differently from other people.
"I don’t think I went for the role, but I’m glad I got it. At first it was a bit strange for me, but I think I’m getting used to it. It is obviously nice to lead a team. It wasn’t under the best circumstances, just to come in, but when you have the backing of the boys and the backing of the coaching staff, it makes it so much easier
“Everybody leads differently. And you can’t preach if you don’t do, so I need to lead by example—more by doing than speaking.”
Esterhuizen added that the mood in the Sharks’ camp this week is promising.
“We know we are building something here. We know we have to win four out of four games.
"The group is very motivated. We have had good chats and training sessions. We are looking forward to the challenge of winning two away games. We have not been at our best on the road this year. But we know we can turn it around.”