Erasmus hands Springboks captaincy to Esterhuizen for one-off Test against Australia

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has explained his decision to hand the captaincy to Andre Esterhuizen for Sunday's one-off Test against Australia in Perth, the SABC reports.

The Springboks are coming off a gruelling four-Test series against the All Blacks, prompting Erasmus to make 13 changes for the encounter at Optus Stadium, SABC Sport reports.

Regular captain Siya Kolisi is out of the matchday squad, and while Eben Etzebeth – who has captained the side on 12 occasions – is starting, Erasmus said he recognised the leadership qualities Esterhuizen has shown since being named Sharks captain last season, a period in which the midfielder helped steady an embattled franchise working through growing pains under new coach JP Pietersen.

Erasmus told reporters this week that the way Esterhuizen carried himself as Sharks captain during a difficult spell, working alongside Pietersen and the coaching set-up, had impressed him. He said Esterhuizen's willingness to serve the team and accept whatever role was asked of him – whether at flank, centre or off the bench – was exactly the kind of contribution the Springboks valued.

Erasmus added that while the captaincy could simply have gone to Etzebeth again, the coaching staff already knew what he offered as captain, and wanted to give Esterhuizen the opportunity given the possibility of needing to call on further leadership options through injuries in the run-up to the World Cup.

He said leading the country tends to sharpen a player's understanding of what it takes to support the incumbent captain.

Esterhuizen will become the 68th Springbok captain when he leads the team out in Perth.