Springboks powerhouse Andre Esterhuizen is hoping that his Sharks team has turned the corner, as the Durban side heads into Saturday’s huge South African derby against the Vodacom Bulls. The Sharks have won just one of their first seven matches in all competitions this season, yet their fortunes seem to have changed following the past weekend’s victory in the Investec Champions Cup.
The South African side picked up a solid 28-23 home victory over Saracens to finally end their arduous wait for a win in the 2025/26 season. There were tries from a quartet of ‘Boks, as the Sharks rolled out the big guns for the clash with Sarries, as Siya Kolisi, Aphelele Fassi, Edwill van der Merwe and Grant Williams all crossed the whitewash against the North London club.
With maximum points obtained from their win and hopes re-kindled for progression out of the Champions Cup pool stage, the Sharks now turn their attention back to the URC for the meeting with the Bulls. A packed house is expected at Kings Park Stadium, as the Sharks look to move up from 14th in the league table.
Andre Esterhuizen was skipper for the much-needed win over Saracens, as he marked his 100th appearance for the Durban franchise with an impressive Player of the Match display. “Hopefully, we have turned the corner and can start building momentum,” said the 31-year-old.
“During the week before the game, we had a lot of honest conversations. The players understood that they had to take accountability for everything that had happened. I was proud of the boys for the way we got stuck in. It was tough, it was tight, my voice was almost gone from screaming on defence.”
It was the first game with former Springboks winger JP Pietersen at the coaching helm following the departure of John Plumtree. Esterhuizen commented upon these changes to the Sharks back room:
“There were big changes, so we needed to reset and have a plan for the boys to follow as a team, not as individuals. You could see the teamwork coming through, notably on defence. There were quite a few instances where we just kept tackling and tackling as a unit. I was very proud of the way we played. We have something to build on.”
Esterhuizen will continue on as captain for the derby clash against the Bulls, and the former Harlequin is back to his revered best. The human wrecking-ball was also named Player of the Match in South Africa’s 73-0 demolition of Wales at the Principality Stadium, as Rassie Erasmus’ men closed out the Autumn Nations Series with a dominant display in Cardiff.
The 6ft 4ins, 19st titan has been handed a hybrid role by ‘Boks boss Rassie Erasmus this year, being employed in the back row as well as at centre. “It’s been a good experience. I have enjoyed it and I believe it is a good attribute for the future,” Esterhuizen said, as he reflected upon his positional change.
“It offers so many more options. As one gets older, you learn how you can slot into different positions and it helps to get into the team more constantly. One needs to learn to adapt as a player. I think it helps me as a player personally and it helps the team as well.”
Born in Potchefstroom in the North West province, Esterhuizen started out with the Sharks more than a decade ago, and has since enjoyed spells in Japan and in Twickenham with the Quins, before ditching the famous quarters for a return to Durban last year.
His new head coach Pietersen said: “I remember Andre’s debut. I was playing when he came on the wing against the Hurricanes in New Zealand in 2014 and we played a lot of games together. He’s grown so much. He’s become a proper all-round player – they call him the hybrid now. I’m very proud of him. The way he leads, the way he talks, his decision-making on the field. I don’t need to step in much, which tells you he’s a natural leader.”
Adding his thoughts on the Sharks’ lomg awaited win over Saracens, Pietersen said: “It wasn’t a perfect performance, but you could see afterwards how much it meant to the players in the changing room. A win like that gives you belief, hope and lifts the energy in the environment. It gives you motivation and confidence going into the next game. We know the Bulls won’t be easy – they’re desperate as well – but what a challenge it’s going to be.”
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