The Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, has confirmed that the powerful centre, André Esterhuizen, will be a ‘hybrid player’ for the back-to-back World Champions going forward.

On Saturday during the second half of the one-sided 54-7 win against the Barbarians in Cape Town, Erasmus, unleashed Esterhuizen off the bench as flanker, and he impressed.

In was a move that has caught everyone by surprise, but yet it is so typical of Erasmus’ innovative thinking.

Erasmus said it just adds depth to his squad, and it’s something that they have been working on for some time.

On Saturday at 17:10 the Springboks will face Italy in Pretoria in their first Test of the season.