Andre Esterhuizen has made clear the Springboks will bring their full competitive mindset to Saturday's YesPlay Cup match against the Barbarians at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, regardless of the occasion's non-cap status.
"I know it is a Barbarians game and everyone looks at it and thinks it can be loose. They might want to make it loose, but we are aiming to stick to our processes like we do in every game," Esterhuizen said in an online press conference on Wednesday. "For us it is a normal test match. That's how we're going to handle it."
The Boks took the same approach last year in Cape Town and won 54-7, though wet conditions that day naturally suppressed the Barbarians' expansive instincts. Saturday's forecast — clear skies and a maximum of 20 degrees in Gqeberha — sets up more favourable conditions for the visitors to play the way they want.
Esterhuizen is bracing for a physical midfield contest against Munster's Alex Nankivelli and Virimi Vakatawa, the former France international now playing for Fiji Drua in Super Rugby Pacific. "It's a powerhouse centre pairing. Nankivelli is a strong, abrasive runner with good offloading skills and good distribution. Vakatawa is a very experienced centre who's been around for a long time and is a strong ball carrier. It's going to be a good battle."
Off the field battle, Esterhuizen will also play a supporting role to Quan Horn, the Lions fullback selected at flyhalf for the match. Esterhuizen is confident Horn has the tools to handle the unfamiliar role. "He has slotted into the flyhalf position really well in training. He has experienced players on his inside and outside who can help him. I think he will do very well in that position and that will make him a great option to have as a utility back."
Esterhuizen himself used last year's Barbarians fixture to debut as a hybrid flank off the bench, adding another layer of personal significance to the annual season opener.