Anele Mdoda Says André Esterhuizen Should Be Banned From Rugby Amid Springbok Captain Appointment
- Anele Mdoda called for André Esterhuizen to be permanently banned from rugby after he was named Springbok captain
- Esterhuizen received a one-year suspended ban in 2012 for racially abusing a Black coach during a school match at age 18
- Mzansi is divided over whether the 14-year-old incident should disqualify him from leading the national side
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: UGC
Broadcaster Anele Mdoda sparked a heated online conversation after reacting strongly to André Esterhuizen being named Springbok captain, resurfacing a racial abuse incident from his past that many South Africans had either forgotten or never known about.
Mdoda took to X on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, sharing a post about the 2012 incident and writing:
"He should be banned from playing rugby period!"
See the post below:
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
André Esterhuizen's 2012 incident resurfaces
When Esterhuizen was 18, he appeared before a Leopards Rugby Union disciplinary panel comprising Adv. Johan Pretorius, Johan le Grange, and Makwezi Best, after being accused of calling Thabo Molete, the Black coach of Potchefstroom Gymnasium's first team and the Leopards' Grant Khomo side, a racial slur during a school match between Klerksdorp High School and Potchefstroom Gymnasium. The panel handed him a one-year ban, suspended for six months on condition he completed a life skills course. He was also dropped from the Leopards' Craven Week squad.
Leopards president André May said at the time that he hoped the outcome would be "a life lesson for him and every player and official in this."
SA reacts after Anele Mdoda wants André Esterhuizen banned
Esterhuizen's appointment came 14 years after that ban, with Rassie Erasmus citing his leadership qualities after he was named Sharks captain for the upcoming season. He is set to become the 68th man to lead the Springboks when they face Australia in Perth on Sunday, with 35 Test caps to his name.
The timing of the captaincy announcement brought the old incident back into public view, dividing opinion sharply across Mzansi.
@ThobaniMpungos2 said:
"Hahaha... play under 'strict conditions', what is that! He should never play again… just imagine if it was the other way around.."
@_Billie_Banter pushed back:
"Are you still the same person you were when you were 18 years old? You, people, are reaching here."
@misokuhle_qwase raised questions about Rassie's decision:
"He's now our captain for this weekend's match with 35 caps under his belt. I want the journalists to ask Rassie about this decision."
@Emmeren84096376 added:
"Now where is Afriforum?"
@LihlelamRadebe brought it back to the broader Springbok narrative:
"I have been saying this 'stronger together' thing will end in tears. The Springboks – it's like that slow train crush that you can't stop looking at. Before the World Cup, all will be exposed."
Source: UGC
Musa Mthombeni reacts to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s performance
In a separate development, Briefly News previously reported that Dr Musa Mthombeni shared his thoughts on Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's recent performances after the fly-half returned to the Springboks' starting lineup.
This was after the Springboks beat the All Blacks 29-24 at FNB Stadium on 5 September 2026, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu contributing conversions and a penalty.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Source: Briefly News
