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'The Giant' Esterhuizen is coming to the Premiership
By Online Editors
Powerful South African centre Andre Esterhuizen has signed for Harlequins, joining from Super Rugby side, the Sharks.
The 25-year-old, who has played eight Test matches for the Springboks, will join up with the London club ahead of the 2020/21 season to bolster their ball-carrying options in the midfield.
Esterhuizen, who can also play at full-back, recently featured for the Barbarians in their autumn tour, scoring against Fiji at Twickenham Stadium and going on to play against Wales.
Standing at 1.93metres, weighing in at 113kgs and with 72 Super Rugby appearances, Esterhuizen is renowned for his big tackles and ball-carrying impact, picking up the nickname ‘The Giant’.
Regarding his switch to the Premiership, Esterhuizen said: “When the opportunity to play for Harlequins came up, I knew it was the right move for me to develop my career and get the chance to play in the Premiership, as well as experience the European competition, which have always been dreams of mine.
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“Paul Gustard and his team are building something special there and to have the chance to work with a young and dynamic coaching group such as Nick Evans and Sean Long is really exciting. I can’t wait to run out at The Stoop and show them what I can bring to the team.”
Harlequins boss Gustard said: “Andre is an incredible signing for Harlequins. He is a current Springbok who has the ability to change any game through his raw power and strength in the contact areas.
“His physical abilities are impressive enough, but we were further attracted by his capacity to be a second playmaker, distributing before and through the line. He is a fantastic talent and his addition to our squad is very exciting.
“Besides his ability on the field, which is without debate, he is a tremendous human being. He has the character that we want and at 25 is entering his prime as a player.
“He will join a backline that we feel can grow together and develop into an elite unit, developing a deep understanding of each other and building strong friendships.”
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Latest Comments
No just because the personal is much better than last year. I've shown no antagonism of Crusader players, you must be confusing me with someone else.
I have critized Razor for picking players he knows occasionally?
I said I'm not surprised because of his style, he's more a grinder player like Cane, not going to show up on peoples radar until you see how bad the other choices are. This year players like Clarke have been on fire and just show a bit more.
Are you one of those posters continually taking it easy on Razor because he doesn't have his Crusaders stars available? Do you think the rugby world is going to up to him suddenly once Mo'unga returns? lol
Go to commentsJohn you have been beating this drum for a couple of years, if you get proven right get back to us.
The last recent and decent Aussie coach was Ewen McKenzie, he was undermined and forced out by a couple of slimy Aussie players who were given a free pass when they should have been disciplined.
So our history since McQueen is very checkered and it seems to make little difference whether we have an Aussie coach or a Kiwi coach. The players have been entitled for a long time and we had to hit bottom to get them back into reality and to stop thinking it is all about them.
Cheika was an OK coach but his 'go our and destroy the opposition' tactic worked for a while and then didn't.
Please give me a list of great Aussie coaches that I have missed.
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