Most Android phones, that contain eSIMs, are pretty expensive.
Fortunately, several companies have developed eSIM adapters that can be plugged into regular physical SIM card slots and add eSIM technology to your phone.
Among the newest providers is JMP, whose adapter was recently tested by Android Authority.
The adapter’s shape is identical to a regular physical SIM card, which lets you insert it into nearly any device with a SIM card tray or slot, including Android smartphones, tablets, and mobile Wi-Fi routers.
The only feature your smartphone must support to use the JMP eSIM adapter is the Open Mobile API (OMAPI), which is required for interfacing with the eSIM chip.
Almost every smartphone with Android 9 Pie or later comes with the feature, but there are a few exceptions — like the Nothing Phone 2a.
The downside is the cost of the adapter at $39.99 (about R716) and shipping to SA $35 (about R626) but I suppose that is cheaper than a higher end phone, and offers the versatility of an eSIM.
Interestingly, too, JMP has open-sourced its software as well.
The linked article also mentions two other alternatives to consider.
See https://mybroadband.co.za/news/cellular/561542-adapter-adds-esim-to-any-android-smartphone.html