Andre Esterhuizen acknowledges past, claps back at Anele comment

Andre Esterhuizen has liked comments saying he has “changed” in the years since he said the K-word as a teen schoolboy player. The Springbok – who is set to lead the squad as captain against the Wallabies this weekend – has also reacted to a comment made by Anele Mdoda, calling for him to be banned from playing rugby.

The 947 presenter made headlines after she responded to an article detailing his racial slur, and subsequent disciplinary action.

ANDRE ESTERHUIZEN ACKNOWLEDGES PAST, CLAPS BACK AT ANELE?

On his Instagram and Facebook accounts, Andre Esterhuizen shared a post from a company he is a brand ambassador for.

Under the post, Andre liked comments congratulating him on his appointment as Springbok captain for this weekend’s test match.

Some included claims that the backlash of his K-word racial slur was a result of “politics”.

Another, which he liked, acknowledged the 2012 incident.

It read: “People will always bring up the past against you to bring you down, but you have changed, and that’s what counts”

A third, which he also liked,  clapped back at Anele Mdoda’s comments.

It read: “Andre forget about Anele. Here we support you, a man is a culmination of his best moments, his mistakes and the growth in between. Keep on fighting the good fight, being yourself, and the great man we ALL KNOW YOU TO BE”.

WHAT DID SHE SAY?

Like many X users, Anele Mdoda has expressed concern about Andre Esterhuizen leading the Springboks as captain, amid a resurfaced report that he said the K-word in 2012.

At the time, Andre called Thabo Molete, the coach of the Potchefstroom Gymnasium, a “f**king k*****” during a rugby match.

The then 18-year-old was found guilty of misconduct and was handed a year’s ban, which later became a six-month suspension, provided he underwent a life skills course.

As a result, he missed participation in Craven Week.

Andre matriculated from Klerksdorp High School in 2012 and moved to Durban in 2013, where he joined the Sharks.

Responding to a screenshot of an article detailing the incident, Anele tweeted: “He should be banned from playing rugby period!”

SA RUGBY MUM ON ANDRE ESTERHUIZEN K-WORD SLUR

The South African reached out to SA Rugby for comment on Andre Esterhuizen’s K-word incident. It has not received a response at the time of publishing.