Andre Esterhuizen’s pending return to the Sharks took a step closer after Harlequins granted the Springbok centre an early release from his contract.
Harlequins on Friday announced that Esterhuizen will be leaving the English club at the end of the 2023-24 season to return to South Africa “for family reasons”.
Esterhuizen was contracted to Harlequins until June 2025 – with his transfer fee reported to be a potential stumbling block in any attempt to sign him – but the club has agreed to release him early to allow his return to South Africa later this year.
The 29-year-old will depart ‘Quins with more than 82 appearances to his name, playing a pivotal role in the spectacular run to the Premiership title in 2020-21.
Esterhuizen scored 24 tries across four seasons and was voted the RPA Players’ Player of the Year in 2022, alongside the Harlequins Players’ Player of the Year in 2022 and DHL Fans Player of the Season in 2022-23.
It appears that Esterhuizen is now cleared to complete a return to the Sharks next season, with the Durban side already hinting at his signing earlier in the week.
Esterhuizen started his professional career at Kings Park in 2013, playing 81 Super Rugby games before leaving for London in 2019.
Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
