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Andre Esterhuizen is the STECO Hero of the Week

Andre Esterhuizen is a STECO Brand Ambassador off the field. On the field he is proving the ultimate Hybrid Power Tool for the Sharks

Published

2 days ago

18th May 2026

Keo

Andre Esterhuizen of the Hollywoodbets Sharks during the United Rugby Championship match between Hollywoodbets Sharks and Benetton at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on May 09, 2026 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)

Andre Esterhuizen is the STECO Hybrid Power Tool Hero of the Week.

STECO RUGBY PARTNERSHIP

Esterhuizen was immense against Zebre in Round 18 of the United Rugby Championship.

He has been huge all season for the Sharks and an inspiration to a mid-to-late on-field resurgence that saw the team finish with nine wins and a draw from 18 matches.

The Sharks won their final two matches in Durban against Benetton and Zebre, and totalled 95 points against the Italians.

Esterhuizen was appointed captain by new coach JP Pietersen. He has excelled as a leader and been imposing as a player.

Against Zebre, he did everything and was the choice for the weekly award given every week on the Keo & Zels Rugby Podcast.

Esterhuizen played 14 matches for the Sharks this season, 13 in the URC and one in the Investec Champions Cup. He played every minute (1120) of those 14 matches at inside centre.

In the URC matches, he scored four tries, had six assists, six line breaks and beat 55 defenders at an average of more than four a match. He made 12 offloads, 152 carries and gained 481 attack metres.

Esterhuizen is the original Hybrid Test Player, having been used as an inside centre and closed-side flanker for the Springboks.

He has become the most valuable player for the Sharks, since returning from three years at London Harlequins, and one of the most vital match 23 players for the Springboks.

A fortnight ago, Esterhuizen’s midfield partner, the 23 year-old Jurenzo Julius won the award for scoring three tries against Benetton, and creating positive chaos all afternoon in every facet of play.

STECO has been a partner of Keo.co.za and the Keo & Zels show for the past 20 months, with Keo & Zels dedicating a section of the show to the STECO Power Play of the weekend.

John Stevens, RYOBI Africa and STECO CEO said the alignment with Esterhuizen was a giant step into the rugby landscape for them as a business, but one that made for a perfect fit, given Esterhuizen’s role as Test rugby’s first proper hybrid player and the power of STECO’s hybrid tools.