The Harlequins conundrum: How to replace Andre Esterhuizen

Much of Harlequins’ success as an attacking force in the last few years has been down to the solid platform laid up front and the go-forward that Andre Esterhuizen has provided in midfield. Statistically, Quins had the most successful scrum in the Premiership last season, anchored by tighthead Will Collier, while Springbok centre Esterhuizen ate up the post-contact metres to turn defences on their heels and enable half-backs Danny Care and Marcus Smith to work their magic.

Neither player, though, is around this season with Collier moving on after 13 seasons to join Castres and Esterhuizen released early from his contract to go back to South Africa and rejoin the Sharks, having been at the Twickenham Stoop since 2020.

“They have been unbelievable players for Harlequins, haven’t they? They have had a huge influence on the successes at Harlequins. One delivering an unbelievable scrum performance and the other one gives you a fair amount of go-forward, as we all know,” acknowledged head coach Danny Wilson.

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“But in all clubs and in all situations with top-end players there is a transition; there is a transition when they leave, for whatever reasons, to bring the next one through. What we have looked at is does that come from within or without and we believe, let’s take the 12 jersey, there is going to be a great battle there with Lennox (Anyanwu), young Bryn Bradley and Luke Northmore, who can play 12 and 13. So we have got some good options there.

“But ultimately the challenge has been paid down to them: the jersey is up for grabs, boys. Who is going to take it, who is going to perform consistently to own that jersey? So it is big shoes to fill, but it is also exciting that one. It is quite open at the moment and we have got a few options.”

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Standing 1.93m tall and tipping the scales at 113kgs, Esterhuizen wouldn’t look out of place in the forwards. While that is not entirely unique in the modern age, it will be a tough job for someone to try and replicate what the 30-year-old offered. Either that or Quins will look to change the way they operate in that sphere.

“Without giving away too much, there is a little bit of both. Those players can play direct, those players have proved they can play direct,” Wilson revealed. “Luke Northmore has scored a number of tries where he is literally been extremely direct, made line breaks and that has led on to scores.

“Lennox has done that when he has had periods of time with us and others, and Bryn Bradley is that type as well. But they have also got other parts to their game. Luke has a distribution game. He also has unbelievable pace for a centre – he is one of the fastest out there –  and has a good left-footed kicking game. So he brings more in those areas and likewise some of the other boys have other traits that they can add.

“Andre is the biggest 12 I have ever coached, there is no doubt about that, and is very, very powerful. That directness was very important to Quins and he was a very important player for Quins, but we have got to evolve as well and have more strings to our bow, so that is what we will be working on.”

As for the tighthead situation, Wilson believes Harlequins are equally well covered, especially as USA international and former Saracens and Montpellier prop Titi Lamositele has come on board. “He came in a little bit late into pre-season with us but has started now and is getting up and running and playing,” Wilson explained.

“Obviously his CV goes before him. It is very impressive the teams he has been involved with and played with, there is not much he hasn’t been involved with in terms of winning trophies.

“And then we have got Dillon Lewis, Simon Kerrod and young (Will) Hobson, so we have got a few boys there where it is up for grabs. It is not guaranteed to be Titi’s jersey, it is competition for places. Creating healthy competition within your squad is going to be really important for our future.”