The decision by the Springboks team to appoint central player Andre Esterhuizen as captain for the upcoming match against Australia has sparked a wave of criticism on social media following the reappearance of details regarding a racist slur incident involving the player.
In 2012, while an 18-year-old athlete playing for Clerksdorp High School against Potchefstroom High School, Esterhuizen was found guilty of using a racist slur directed at Thabo Molete, who was then the head coach at Potchefstroom High School and coach of the Grant Homo team from Leopards.
This incident drew public attention when well-known television presenter Anelle Mododa shared a 14-year-old news report on X, condemning the event and stating: 'He must be permanently excluded from rugby!'
At the time, Esterhuizen appeared before the disciplinary committee of Leopards Rugby Union, which imposed a one-year suspension, deferred by six months upon completion of a life skills course. Furthermore, he was excluded from the Leopards Craven Week squad.
Two years later, Esterhuizen moved to the Sharks team, where he began his professional career, and this season he will captain the team in the United Rugby Championship.
Esterhuizen is set to become the 68th captain of the Springboks, as he was selected to lead the team in the match against Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday (starting at 11:45 South African time).
During the squad announcement, coach Rassie Erasmus explained the decision by citing Esterhuizen's growing leadership qualities, his versatility, and his commitment to the national team structure.
Erasmus noted: 'Andre was captain of the Sharks, and he is one of those players who, when you ask him for something, whether it's playing in a hybrid role or playing for Damian de Allende and Damian Willemse, sometimes playing a lot, and then agreeing to play as a forward and be an influential player, he always accepted it. We would like to see him in this situation against a truly strong Australian team. We feel that it is not only an honour for him to receive the captaincy but also helps us as a team in future matches and closer to the World Cup to have more players who know what it is like to lead the Springboks.'
IOL Sport contacted former Leopards president Andre May, who declined to comment on the situation. Previously, May stated in a statement that 'I hope there is a life lesson for him, for every player and official here.'