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The term "sand" is much too vague. I never support someone calling themselves an expert when they use general terms like sand. Sand implies a beach or desert-like sand dune. Sand is also a general term for a type/texture of soil. Sandy soil is also a suitable habitat. Too many people cling to the verbatim of useless books meant to earn a profit. Most "field guides" are a waste of time and money. As you should know, one cannot identify many speies by photo. Thus, these so-called field guides are useless.

I know where I find modesta and hottentotta. I always find modesta in dry grassland with sandy soil. I could care less what useless books will say. You are free to believe what you want to believe. I am not a professor or an expert. I cannot debate issues that I do not find to be an issue. I even find modesta at sandy soil locations with gravel.

I have been down this road with spiders too. A book says this, so it must be true. Well, outdated material will tell you that Ebrechtella tricuspidata likes water but I find it in dry grassland. I prefer to discover life instead of read about it, so I learn alot more. Villa are more versatile than the pictures that are painted.

Best solution for you: collect the specimen and make photos of genitalia.