Andre Esterhuizen says the Sharks’ hard-fought 36-24 Vodacom URC derby victory over the Stormers felt “like Test rugby”.
The Springbok hybrid produced yet another powerhouse performance that earned him the Man of the Match award at Kings Park.
The Sharks scored three tries after the interval, with Esterhuizen crossing the whitewash himself as his side completed a commanding double over the Stormers.
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Central to that success was a clear tactical plan built around the demanding conditions. With high humidity and a slippery ball, the Sharks leaned heavily on their aerial game to apply pressure and dictate territory.
Scrumhalves Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse executed the plan with precision, repeatedly sending up contestable kicks, while wings Edwill van der Merwe and Jaco Williams were relentless in the air, consistently unsettling the Stormers’ back three.
“It worked and I’m very proud of the guys. We showed real courage to fight back in the second half,” Esterhuizen said.
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The Sharks centre explained that the aerial battle has become a major focus within the squad, particularly in conditions where exits and territory are at a premium.
“We spend a lot of time on our aerial game. It’s one of the most important areas. If you can’t get out of your half, you can’t play rugby because you’ll be pinned down the whole time.”
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With the wind swinging in their favour after the break, the Sharks were able to tighten their grip on the contest, winning the small but crucial moments that ultimately broke Stormers resistance.
“We won a lot of the small moments and that counted in our favour. That’s something we focused on all week,” Esterhuizen added.
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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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