Springboks: ‘Rugby Championship is a stepping-stone to Rugby World Cup’

Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen has earmarked the Rugby Championship as the platform needed to lay down a marker in his quest to earn Rugby World Cup selection.

Esterhuizen, who has 11 Test caps for the Springboks since making his debut in 2018, narrowly missed out on selection in the squad for the 2019 World Cup, which South Africa ultimately went on to win.

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Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Springboks opening Test of the 2023 Rugby Championship against the Wallabies at Loftus on Saturday, Esterhuizen candidly admitted that he is out to avoid a repeat of the season season when he failed to make the Rugby World Cup playing group.

I just missed 2019,” Esterhuizen said during a press conference. “Any player wants to represent his country in a World Cup tournament.

“This is my big motivation. But I also know you have to be grateful for every Test you play in, because it’s a great honour.”

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A lot a changed since then. Esterhuizen left the Sharks to join English club, Harlequins in 2020, where has been so successful that he was become somewhat of a cult hero.

“I didn’t think it would be so important for my career. When I got there, I wondered at the beginning if it was the right decision,” he said.

“Playing in another team, which has such a big focus on attacking play, meant an incredible amount to my development.

“I think I am much better equipped these days and I also think differently about the game. Looking back, it’s the best decision I’ve made.”

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ESTERHUIZEN LOOKING AHEAD TO RUGBY WORLD CUP

Looking ahead to the Test against Eddie Jones’ Wallabies, Esterhuizen said the atmosphere in the Springbok camp was good with their first Test only a few days away, and he hoped the match would set the tone for the rest of this vital season.

“The communication between the players and coaches is very good,” said Esterhuizen. “We’ve had a productive three weeks together, so everyone knows our goals and plans, and the team is happy.”

“This [the Rugby Championship] is a stepping-stone in the right direction for the end goal [the Rugby World Cup], but our main goal right now is this competition.”

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber will announce his match-day squad to face Australia later this afternoon.

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