Connor Esterhuizen’s journey in cricket feels less like a straight path and more like a story still unfolding – one shaped by quiet influences, steady growth, and moments that hint at something bigger to come.
Still early in his career, the young wicketkeeper-batsman has already begun to leave his mark. In recent months, he has delivered standout performances for the Lions, South Africa ‘A’, and even on the international stage with the Proteas during their T20 tour of New Zealand. In that five-match series, he notched up two scores above fifty – just a glimpse of what he’s capable of.
When we chatted with Connor, the conversation naturally drifted back to where it all began. For him, it wasn’t just about talent – it was about the people who shaped it.
“I think early on there was a coach called Anthony Lord who was very influential and coached me up until the age of about 13 years old. After I moved to Heron Bridge, I also had a coach, Marc Williams, who coached at NSSSC. At St. Johns, coaches such as Justin Sammons (who now coaches Zimbabwe) and Director of Cricket Adrian Norris also had a huge influence on me.”
Those early years laid the foundation, but Connor is honest about the realities young cricketers face when stepping up.
“To be honest with you, I don’t really think that schoolboy cricket on its own prepares you well enough for domestic cricket. I believe that Colts cricket prepares you better for domestic cricket. I also believe that the more matches you play at domestic cricket, the better prepared you will be in the long run.”
Now firmly in the professional environment, Connor speaks with genuine appreciation about his time with the Lions – a setup that seems to have played a big role in his development.
“I only have good things to say about my experience at the Lions. The organisation has an excellent culture where they push for high standards on the field but care for each individual off the field as well. In terms of the coaches, all I can say is that every player wants to learn from them. I feel that coaches such as Hash (Hashim Amla) have helped me to develop effective game plans and improve my cricket IQ.”
That willingness to learn has extended beyond just one environment. His time with the Pretoria Capitals has also added another layer to his growth.
“I have really enjoyed working under Sourav Ganguly. He offers a different perspective, and similarly to Hash, he has definitely helped me develop effective game plans that have helped me to improve.”
On the field, Connor’s role has often required flexibility – especially in the fast-paced world of T20 cricket.
“Personally, I will obviously bat wherever my coaches tell me to. I honestly do not mind. I think opening in T20s is nice but also equally challenging. It is enjoyable in the sense that there are field restrictions in the Powerplay, which means you have opportunities to get off to good starts, but when conditions are difficult, it becomes more challenging, and there is pressure on the batters to get the team off to a good start.”
That balance between opportunity and pressure was clear during the New Zealand tour. Scores of 45 not out, 57, and 75 not out across three matches reflected both composure and consistency. Yet, for Connor, success isn’t about changing the approach – it’s about sticking to it.
“To be honest, I always prepare in the same way for each match. I give my all to my training and preparation, and train extremely hard. I think we were fortunate that we played three one-day cup games before the tour which also helped us get some game preparation.”
Working under national coach Shukri Conrad has only reinforced that mindset. “I really enjoyed it. He is a coach who drives excellence but also cares for each player. As a coach, he thinks about the game in a different way, and I really enjoy learning from him. He wants to develop a set of winners that can help South Africa consistently improve.”
As Connor moves between different levels of the game, he’s become increasingly aware of how each step brings its own challenges.
“I think with tournaments such as the SA20, there are obviously larger crowds on a more consistent basis, which leads to more pressure and scrutiny. In tournaments such as the SA20, I feel that the players can get away with less.”
And at the very top, the margins become even tighter.
“I think in international cricket the margins for error are obviously very small. The scrutiny from mainstream media outlets as well as fans on social media platforms is also a lot more, which makes it difficult.”
It’s a reality many young athletes struggle with – but Connor approaches it with perspective, leaning on the people around him.
“I think it is also important to develop close support structures with friends and family before you start playing professional sport. Having a close inner circle that can help you switch off but also remind you what you need to do in equal measure is invaluable.”
As our conversation came to an end, one thing stood out: Connor Esterhuizen isn’t just building a career – he’s building it thoughtfully, step by step, with a clear understanding of both the game and himself. And if his recent performances are anything to go by, this story is only just getting started.
Photo: DP World Lions Cricket