From self-doubt to standout performer, Esterhuizen credits the Covid-19 break for reviving his cricket career during South Africa’s New Zealand tour

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Very few cricketers can look back at the Covid-19 pandemic as a turning point in their careers, but South Africa’s rising wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen is one of them. Currently on his maiden international tour, Esterhuizen has revealed how the global break from cricket helped him rediscover his passion and rebuild his path to professional cricket.

Speaking after earning Player of the Match in the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Wellington, Esterhuizen described the Covid period as a “saving grace” in cricketing terms. During the final phase of his school career, he struggled with selection setbacks and questioned whether he was good enough to pursue cricket professionally.

The pandemic-induced pause, however, gave him the time and mental space he needed. Stepping away from the game briefly allowed Esterhuizen to reset, after which he worked his way up through club and university cricket. His consistent performances soon earned him a place in the Lions B team, followed by opportunities at the senior provincial level.

Esterhuizen, who studied at St John’s College in Johannesburg, did not feature in any age-group representative teams. Despite this, he made his provincial debut for the Lions in 2022 and quickly made an impact. Batting at No. 7, he scored a match-winning 52 in the domestic one-day competition, marking the beginning of his rise.

Since then, his growth has been remarkable. He moved into the top order, represented South Africa A, and delivered an impressive domestic season with four centuries in first-class cricket. His performances also secured him contracts with SA20 franchises MI Cape Town and Pretoria Capitals, further boosting his profile.

On the current New Zealand tour, Esterhuizen has emerged as South Africa’s leading run-scorer, showcasing both resilience and adaptability. Reflecting on his progress, he emphasized that success at higher levels depends not just on talent, but on decision-making and handling pressure.

He also highlighted the importance of dealing with failure, calling cricket “a game of failures.” According to Esterhuizen, learning how to manage setbacks becomes even more crucial as players climb the ranks.

His performances in the series reflect that learning curve. After an unbeaten 45 in the opening match, he managed scores of 8 and 15 in the next two games while experimenting with different approaches. However, he bounced back strongly with a composed 57 in the fourth T20I, relying on natural stroke play and patience.

Esterhuizen credited this turnaround to trusting his game plan and focusing on playing conventional cricket shots rather than forcing aggressive strokes. His ability to adapt under pressure underlines his growing maturity at the international level.

With several senior South African players unavailable for the series, Esterhuizen has seized his opportunity to make a mark. While his place in the full-strength squad remains competitive, his inclusion in this tour signals that he is part of the team’s future plans.

At just 24 years old, Esterhuizen is focused on learning and gaining experience. He acknowledged the challenges of handling pressure and constant scrutiny at the international level, noting that adapting to these demands is a gradual process.

As the T20I series between South Africa and New Zealand stands level at 2-2, all eyes will be on the decider in Christchurch. For Esterhuizen, regardless of the outcome, this tour has already been a defining chapter in his cricketing journey.