Canan Moodie backed for giant Bok role
It will be Moodie’s first top-flight start at outside centre, a position where he first garnered attention as a schoolboy star at Boland Landbou.
Canan Moodie will fly out of the starting blocks at outside centre when he partners Andre Esterhuizen in a giant Springbok midfield against the All Blacks
The clash at Twickenham on Friday will be the final Test of the year before the Springboks attempt to defend their world crown in France.
Jacques Nienaber made a surprise call by shifting the 1,9m Moodie away from the wing and into a towering midfield, where he will link up with the 1,93m Esterhuizen.
Canan Moodie will fly out of the starting blocks at outside centre when he partners Andre Esterhuizen in a giant Springbok midfield against the All Blacks. https://t.co/Y7CQlMQr1u
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) August 23, 2023
Esterhuizen gave his new midfield partner his full backing as the Boks finish their preparations for the World Cup.
“Canan is an exciting player and he’s shown it with how he can score tries with ball in hand,” said Esterhuizen.
“He must just go out there and stay composed. I have no doubt we’ll link up well together.”
Esterhuizen will be making his 14 Test appearance for the Springboks, as Damian de Allende has been wrapped in cotton wool for the World Cup opener against Scotland.
The Harlequins star missed out on the previous World Cup in Japan by a hair, but has made the most of his opportunities and a larger 33-player squad to crack the nod this year.
“I’m very excited to get more opportunities this year. I just want to give my best,” Esterhuizen said.
“The competition for places is very healthy. Everyone wants to start every weekend, and no one is complacent. When we put on the jersey we are playing for the team.”
While Friday’s game has been billed as an exhibition match, the contest is expected to be anything but friendly, with both teams hungry to lay down a marker in a final dress rehearsal for the global tournament.
“We won’t hold back anything,” said Esterhuizen. “Every match is important for us, so we’ll give everything we can on the field and do our best.
“There’s a good chance we’ll meet them in the World Cup quarter-final, so this is a good opportunity for us.”
Read original story on www.sarugbymag.co.za
