The Springboks have declined to discuss the resurfacing of a 2012 racial-slur incident involving newly appointed captain Andre Esterhuizen ahead of Sunday’s Test against Australia in Perth.
Esterhuizen is set to lead South Africa for the first time in the absence of regular captain Siya Kolisi. His appointment has attracted renewed public attention because of an incident dating back to his schoolboy career.
At Saturday’s captain’s press conference, Springbok media manager Zeena Isaacs told journalists that questions on the matter would not be entertained and asked reporters to keep their focus on the upcoming Test.
When a journalist subsequently attempted to raise the issue, Isaacs again intervened and reiterated that the team would not discuss it.
What happened in 2012?
Esterhuizen was 18 when he was involved in a disciplinary case following a 2012 school rugby match between Klerksdorp High School and Potchefstroom Gymnasium.
He was found guilty by a disciplinary panel of using a racial slur and received a one-year suspension, with six months suspended subject to conditions, while he was also excluded from that year’s Craven Week tournament. Contemporary reporting and later coverage have documented the disciplinary outcome.
Esterhuizen subsequently disputed that he had personally used the slur. In a 2017 interview cited by the original report, he said other players and spectators had used the word and maintained that he had not shouted it himself.
The resurfacing of the incident this week has generated renewed debate, particularly following his elevation to the Springbok captaincy.
Why did Erasmus select Esterhuizen?
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has explained that the decision was primarily about developing leadership depth ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Esterhuizen becomes the 68th player to captain South Africa and takes charge of a significantly changed side for the Perth Test. Erasmus has made 13 changes to the starting XV that defeated New Zealand, with Esterhuizen among those given an opportunity to take on greater responsibility.
Erasmus has also pointed to Esterhuizen’s leadership experience with the Sharks and his versatility as factors in the decision.
The centre has spoken positively about taking on the responsibility, saying he regards the captaincy as an honour and drawing inspiration from Kolisi’s calm approach to leadership.
SA Rugby expected to address the matter separately
While the Springboks chose not to engage with questions about the controversy at the captain’s press conference, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has indicated that the governing body would issue a separate statement.
Former Leopards president Andre May, who was in office when the original incident occurred, has also declined to comment on the resurfaced matter.
The renewed discussion comes just one day before Esterhuizen is due to lead South Africa against Australia at Optus Stadium.
The Springboks have made significant changes to their lineup for the one-off Test, while Australia enter the contest under new coach Les Kiss and will be looking to challenge the world champions on home soil.
For Esterhuizen, the immediate focus will be on his first Test as Springbok captain and the task of leading a reshaped South African side against the Wallabies.
