Springbok hybrid Andre Esterhuizen says he doesn’t expect to ever start a match for the Sharks at flank. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.

Esterhuizen’s evolving role for the Springboks saw him successfully move from midfield to the side of the scrum during big Test matches last year. And his versatility was again evident during the Sharks’ 30-19 Vodacom URC win over the Stormers in Cape Town last Saturday when he scored from a lineout maul.

But while his unique attributes blur positional lines, Esterhuizen says he’s unlikely to ever start for the Sharks at flank, even with loose forwards Phepsi Buthelezi, Manu Tshituka and Matt Romao under injury clouds.

“Probably not,” he said when asked the question on Tuesday. “I think we’ve got enough world-class loose forwards at the club, from the youngsters to the senior guys. Unless it’s injury cover or something happens in a game, I don’t see that happening again.”

Instead, Esterhuizen’s primary influence remains in the midfield, where his partnership with Ethan Hooker at the Sharks continues to develop.

“It’s still fairly new, to be honest. We’re still finding each other,” he said. “He’s an unbelievable rugby player with ball in hand and on defence, and he’s still growing. We’re getting more accustomed to each other and that combination will get better the more we play together.

“The previous two weeks we were both off, so last weekend was our first game back together again. Hopefully we build on that this weekend.”

STATE OF THE URC: Stormers seek revenge at Shark Tank

The Sharks will host the Stormers at Kings Park on Saturday having claimed a landmark victory that moved them from 14th to 11th on the URC log and snapped the Cape side’s eight-match winning start to the season. It was also the Sharks’ first URC win in the Mother City in five attempts.

Esterhuizen, who played a key role with ball in hand, on defence and with the boot, says the challenge now is backing up a bruising performance.

“That’s the thing about the South African derbies – you have to be up for it every week,” he said. “A big part of it is recovery. If you recover properly and your body feels right, then your mind will feel right as well.

“We had a good recovery day and then picked up the intensity again in training. Everyone knows we can’t just deliver a one-off performance like that. We need to back it up again this weekend.

“It’s our last game before the [Six Nations] break, and everyone wants to go into that break on a good note.”

RITO: Stormers seek quick redemption

Esterhuizen expects a fired-up response from the Stormers, who slipped to second on the log.

“We know what’s coming and we know the challenge,” he said. “They’re definitely going to be motivated after last weekend. We’re up for it, and we’ll see if we can put them under pressure again.”

MORE: JP hails Andre the Giant’s leadership

Esterhuizen has been credited by interim coach JP Pietersen with helping drive the Sharks’ recent improvement, but the captain was quick to give credit to the team.

“It’s definitely not me who turned things around,” he said. “I think it’s buy-in from all the players and everyone being on the same page. We’ve changed the mindset around the group and lifted the standards, especially at training.

“If you train better, you’re going to play better. It’s not that we don’t have the talent – it’s about everyone performing to their best every weekend.”

URC SA SHIELD: Too close to call

Esterhuizen says he has grown into the captaincy role.

“At first it was a bit strange for me, but I’m getting used to it now. It didn’t happen under the best circumstances, but when you have the backing of the boys and the coaching staff, it makes it a lot easier.

“I’m a big believer that you can’t tell someone to do something if you’re not doing it yourself. If you want to say something, you have to lead by example.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images