Andre Esterhuizen is back for the Boks. Photo: Archieves
OPINION: Two ‘NEW’ backs the Boks should consider for 2022!
As we look ahead to a new year, overseas-based backs Andre Esterhuizen and Tyrone Green should come into the Bok reckoning.
Andre Esterhuizen is back for the Boks. Photo: Archieves
Tyrone Green
The former Junior Springbok and Lions star has been in sensational form for English club Harlequins in the Premiership, and the 23-year-old is surely set for a national call-up sooner rather than later.
As revealed in a quite remarkable statistic, Green gained exactly 2000 metres in the English Premiership in 2021, over 300 metres more than any other player, while he also beat the joint most defenders this calendar year (92, level with Tom O’Flaherty).
Besides an array of standout attacking strengths, Green has also proven to be solid under the high ball and on defence.
As a utility back who is capable of playing on the wing or at fullback, there is no doubt that Green could add real value to the Bok squad in 2022.
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Andre Esterhuizen
Esterhuizen was recently at the heart of Halrequins’ memorable comeback victory over Northampton Saints in the English Premiership. The big centre made 12 carries, 42 metres, beat two defenders, executed five tackles and enjoyed gainline success on nine occasions.
Esterhuizen has consistently been in impressive form for his English club, and there are growing calls for him to be recalled to the Springboks in 2022.
The 27-year-old last played for the Springboks in 2019 (earning his eighth Test cap against Argentina), but missed out on World Cup selection, and has not really been in the national frame since then.
However, there is good reason to believe that Esterhuizen could soon be back in the Bok mix should he continue to perform at such a level for Harlequins.
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RG Snyman
The towering lock has openly admitted that 2021 has been one of the most difficult years of his life, on and off the field.
Snyman’s last Test appearance was in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, but he missed the series against the British & Irish Lions after failing to recover from a serious knee injury as well as severe burns suffered in a firepit accident. However, that disappointment was ultimately overshadowed by the death of his mother, Annelie.
Snyman made his long-awaited return when he featured off the bench during Munster’s win over the Stormers in round two of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship in early October, but nine minutes after coming on against Scarlets the following week, the same knee ligaments gave way and he was forced off with a season-ending injury.
The good news is that the 26-year-old still has youth on his side, and after an emotionally and physically challenging year, there is no doubt that he will want to come back stronger in 2022 as he looks to make up for lost time.
