JOIN ANDRÉ, OX & ETHAN FOR BREAKFAST!

 

CorporateSport have secured three players who will play key roles in the Springbok’s dream of winning three successive RWC titles, for an AfriSam business breakfast in Durban in May. All three players bring a unique strategic edge to the Springbok match squad, but in very different roles.

 

Rassie Erasmus has reinvented André Esterhuizen’s role in the Springbok team. Esterhuizen’s international career was drifting two seasons ago, as he battled on the periphery of the squad. Rassie’s constant fine-tuning of the impact off the bench, has meant that the powerful and big Esterhuizen is now an integral part of the substitution tactics. He is now able to play comfortably as a tank at centre or loose forward, scrumming down, jumping in lineouts or scoring tries off the rolling maul! The responsibility of captaining the Sharks has also added to his confidence and composure.

 

It is no secret that the Springboks built their RWC-winning strategy in Japan and France on a dominate forward pack and Ox Nché played a huge role in France in this regard. His pivotal scrum penalty in the 77th minute in the semi-final against England allowed Pollard to slot the winning penalty. But we forget his huge defensive scrum penalty earlier, with the Springboks 15-6 down in their own 22 and facing an England put in. Ox blew his opponent away to win the Springboks a critical penalty. Ox continues to ensure that the Bok scrum remains a powerful weapon in securing penalties, which means setting up attacking rolling mauls or pots at goal. His barging runs and work in the rucks is also crucial. His deep chuckle is worth the entry cost alone!

 

Ethan Hooker has exploded on to the international scene and has adapted to the challenge with aplomb. The SA Rugby Young Player of the Year is able to cover both wing and centre, Hooker adds yet another valuable utility element to Rassie’s strategic thinking. His astuteness on re-gathering kick-and-chase balls makes him a key cog in the Springbok kicking game. At 23, Hooker will be around for at least two more World Cups, a good thing as our current wings are all 29 or older.

 

So, plenty to talk about with three key strategic and influential players in the Springbok side, as we kick off our CorporateSport breakfast program in Durban early in May.

 

Matthew Pearce will add his own astute rugby knowledge and inside perspective as the MC for the morning.