Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen admits it’s a tougher task training with the forwards when he’s asked to double as a flank.

Esterhuizen has been used in a hybrid role by Rassie Erasmus this year, most notably against the Barbarians and then two weeks later against Italy in Port Elizabeth, when Jasper Wiese’s early red card forced the Boks to reshuffle.

“It saved us in a big way,” Erasmus said at the time. “You’re not taking a back off and putting a loose forward on. We could use Andre on our own ball at scrum time as a flank, and when Italy had the ball, he slotted back in at centre.”

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Esterhuizen, who scored the final try in the 43-10 hammering of the All Blacks in Wellington, says his training week often changes depending on where he’s likely to feature.

“We decide at the start of the week what my focus and role should be. Sometimes it’s more about flank, other times about centre,” he explained. “I’ll be with the forwards for lineouts, then move across to the backs during split sessions. It all depends on what the coaches want. But I’ll be honest – it’s much tougher training in the forwards compared to the backs.”

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The 31-year-old pointed out that versatility has become a trademark of this Bok squad.

“We’ve seen Cheslin [Kolbe] slot in at scrumhalf or even throw in at the lineout, and Pieter-Steph [du Toit] move from flank back to lock without missing a beat. Damian [Willemse] and Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] can cover three or four positions. Damian [de Allende] could probably shift to flank if needed, and Kwagga [Smith] could go to the wing.

“I actually think it’s easier to move from the backline into the forwards than the other way around,” he added.

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The Boks will on Tuesday name their match 23 to face Argentina in Durban.

Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images