Esterhuizen explains why Care should be back with England ASAP

Andre Esterhuizen has backed calls for Danny Care - his on-fire Harlequins colleague - to be recalled to the England set-up by Eddie Jones as soon as possible. While awaiting his own likely recall to the Springboks, for whom he hasn’t played since 2019, the midfielder has joined the chorus looking for the veteran scrum-half to get his first look-in with England since 2018.

It was against Japan four years ago when the now 35-year-old Care won the last of his 84 Test caps but he has been in irresistible form in recent times during the revival that resulted in Harlequins winning last year’s Gallagher Premiership title.

Ahead of this Saturday’s league semi-final at Saracens, Esterhuizen has made a guest appearance on the latest edition of The Rugby Pod and has given his support to the campaign wanting Care recalled to the England squad for their upcoming tour to Australia.

“He should definitely be in the England squad, he’s probably the best nine I have played with ever,” said Esterhuizen. “I’d say that about Marcus as well (as the No10).

“Danny should definitely be in the England squad. We can’t pick the squad, we can’t say who to pick but if I was the coach he’d be my first choice scrum-half. He is an amazing player, he knows how to read a game, he cleans the rucks quick and it’s always a little bit of magic.”

Aside from playing for Harlequins and seeking Test level recalls for their respective countries, Esterhuizen revealed he had one other particular thing in common with Care - a hair transplant. “Yes, that is true. I’m probably going to have to go for another one in a few years’ time. We’ll see what happens.”

Switching to his South African mindset and how he managed to overcome its conservative approach to invest in the all-out Harlequins attack philosophy, Esterhuizen continued: “In South Africa, if you get a penalty you take the three whereas here you never ever take the three. Our mindset is always to go for the try.

“It was quite a big mindset change because I’m standing on the pitch and going, ‘Just take the three points’ and then they go for the corner. It has worked most of the time, so I’m glad to see that and my mindset has changed. I like to go to the corner as well now. I’m enjoying it, it’s fun, it’s entertaining.”

Ezterhuizen also gave his seal of approval to the decision that will see three of the South African club sides participate next season for the first time in the Heineken Champions Cup. “That is going to be massive for them,” he reckoned.

“I just hope we draw the Stormers or Durban so we can get a nice trip to South Africa on the coast. It’s massive for South Africa rugby at the moment to compete against the best clubs in the world. We all know how tough the competition is. That is the best way where you actually see where you are in the world. I think it is great.”