Esterhuizen excited for Moodie link up against All Blacks

Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen is excited to link up with younger up-and-coming Bok star Canan Moodie within the midfield for the staff’s ultimate Rugby World Cup warm-up match against the All Blacks at Twickenham on Friday night time.

Moodie has been in chic type for the Boks this season with two man-of-the-match awards out of three begins, and three tries in his final two video games, however all of that has come at his extra acquainted place of proper wing.

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Despite the unfamiliarity of that includes at outdoors centre against the All Blacks this Friday, Esterhuizen backed Moodie to carry his thrilling flare into the midfield.

“Canan is an exciting player and he’s shown it with how he can score tries with ball in hand. He must just go out there and stay composed. I have no doubt we’ll link up well together,” mentioned Esterhuizen.

Eager to impress

Esterhuizen himself shall be desperate to impress with him taking part in a way more lively position within the Bok setup than in earlier years, whereas he’s additionally lastly going to the World Cup for the primary time.

In 2019 he simply missed out on choice for the group after which didn’t function for the Boks till final 12 months, the place he was primarily a fringe participant with only one begin and two appearances off the bench over the 2022 season.

However, the All Blacks sport shall be his third begin out of the Boks’ six video games to this point this season and Esterhuizen is relishing the prospect to have extra sport time.

“I’m very excited to get more opportunities this year. I just want to give my best. 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,” mentioned Esterhuizen.

“We received’t maintain again something (against the All Blacks). Every match is essential for us, so we’ll give all the pieces we will on the sphere and do our greatest.

“There’s a good chance we’ll meet them in the World Cup quarter-final, so this is a good opportunity for us.”

Make amends

This is the second conflict between the 2 Southern Hemisphere heavyweights this season, with the All Blacks rising as 35-20 winners in Auckland final month due to a quick begin, and the Boks shall be aiming to make amends on Friday.

“To face them twice in the build-up to the World Cup is good for our preparation for the tournament, so we want to make the most of this match and opportunity on the field,” mentioned Esterhuizen.

“We let ourselves down in Auckland, so as a team we have to ensure we give it all from the start. One can’t always ask for a good start, but what we can do from our side is to approach the game with intensity and physicality from the outset.”