Eddie James: The Wales centre compared to a Springbok World Cup winner
The search for a settled midfield partnership has been one of the defining narratives of the post-2023 era for Wales. Since the departure of established stalwarts, Warren Gatland and his coaching team have cycled through numerous combinations without landing on a definitive long-term answer.
However, a solution may be developing at Parc y Scarlets. Eddie James, the 23-year-old centre, delivered a performance against Cardiff on Friday night that not only showcased his Test credentials but drew a significant comparison to a double World Cup winner.
Scarlets assistant coach Albert van der Berg, a man well-versed in the development of elite South African talent, believes James possesses the same raw attributes as Springbok heavy hitter Andre Esterhuizen.
Eddie James The Springbok comparison
James has long been identified as a prospect of national interest due to his physical stature, but his development this season has been rapid. Following the Scarlets’ victory over Cardiff at the Arms Park, van der Berg—who worked with Esterhuizen during their shared time at the Sharks—drew a direct parallel between the two.
“I compare him to Andre Esterhuizen,” van der Berg said. “I was at the Sharks when Andre came through the ranks. He was this young boy coming through, just like Eddie is now.”
The comparison is not made lightly. Esterhuizen is widely regarded as one of the most physically dominant centres in world rugby, a player capable of acting as a primary ball-carrier while offering defensive solidity. For a Wales side that has often lacked go-forward ball in midfield recently, such a profile is invaluable.
“He’s got the size, he’s got everything,” van der Berg added. “He needs a bit of time. As he gets more experience, I think he’s going to play for Wales for many years. He’s a really good player.”
Versatility in the midfield
While James has played the majority of his senior rugby at inside centre—the traditional home for a player of his dimensions—his performance on Friday came in the No. 13 jersey.
The shift to outside centre demonstrated a breadth of skill that goes beyond simple crash-ball mechanics. James displayed excellent defensive reads in the wider channels, shutting down Cardiff attacks with aggression, while also showing the speed and offloading ability required to link play.
This versatility could prove crucial for Wales head coach Warren Gatland and defence coach Steve Tandy ahead of the upcoming Six Nations. With the likes of Joe Hawkins and Ben Thomas competing for the 12 shirt, and Mason Grady often deployed on the wing, a genuine option at 13 who offers physical dominance would balance the backline effectively.
Van der Berg insists the number on the back is secondary to the influence James exerts on the game.
“I think he can play both [12 and 13],” the Scarlets coach noted. “He’s got speed as well. He’s a big boy who can offload too. I think he can do both positions.”
A crowded field
WThe timing of James’ surge in form is significant. Wales have used over a dozen centre pairings since their last Six Nations victory over Italy in 2023. Consistency has been elusive.
Joe Hawkins remains a strong candidate at inside centre, while Ben Thomas offers a second playmaker option that the Welsh management has frequently explored. However, the physical profile James offers is distinct. It provides a point of difference that could complement a distributor at 10 or 12.
With the Six Nations approaching, the “audition” at the Arms Park may have tipped the balance in James’ favour. If he can replicate the trajectory of Esterhuizen—who grew from a raw talent into a Test match weapon—Wales may finally have found the anchor their midfield desperately needs.
