Ex-Springbok names SHOCK star to shine at World Cup and insists ‘future is bright’ for Harlequins fans
Stephan Lewies reflects on his time at Harlequins and names future international star
Former South African international Stephan Lewies has reflected on his time at Harlequins after seven years in the famous quarters.
The 34-year-old ended his tenure at the club with an impressive 38-31 victory over Northampton Saints at the Stoop, putting to an end a season that was much better forgotten.
Despite their final flourish, Quins finished 9th in the PREM after winning just six of their 18 matches this season and picking up half as many bonus points as most of their rivals. In fact, it was only bottom-placed Newcastle that finished below them, having won just two games and picked up four bonus points in total.
Despite a disappointing season domestically, they did achieve relative success in Europe, exiting at the round of 16 after securing impressive victories over Bayonne, La Rochelle and the Stormers in the group stages.
Speaking to Harlequins social media team after the game, he expressed an “unbelievable feeling of gratitude” as he called an end to his time with Quins.
Returning to South Africa as a changed man
Heading to South Africa to rejoin the Sharks this summer, he explained that he “worked hard to try and get a game before it’s all finished”, having not appeared on the field since December 2025 after being removed after just 23 minutes with injury against Bayonne.
“The last three years have been really tough with injuries,” he continued. “I wish I could have given the jersey a lot more, but I feel like I’ve emptied the tank, whether it was on the pitch or off the pitch. I gave it my all, and I hope the fans and the players felt the effort I tried to give, but also it’s just gratitude for everything they’ve given me as well.”
Summarising his time at Quins, he said: “I think [it has been a] time of growth for me, for my family. I came here with a few suitcases and a girlfriend. I leave with a wife and a kid.
“I shared a changing room with Joe Marler, which challenged me in unbelievable ways and made me grow as a person. He’s a really good friend of mine now, and a lot of others.
“The place has challenged my way of thinking around the game itself, how to prepare. Often back home, you concentrate on all the small things in terms of how you have to prepare, and this was the way when I came here, and it was completely different.
“After a warm-up, the speakers were on just before we run out, everyone’s singing, and we go on and put on a performance. 28-nil down against Bristol, and we come back, so things like that challenge my way of thinking.
“It’s such a brilliant club with so much history, and something I’ll forever be grateful for. I’ll be a Quin for the rest of my life.”
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“The future is bright”
Harlequins have had their struggles in recent times, that is for sure, but the dark days aren’t here to last – not according to Lewies, anyway.
“I reckon they’re the best supporters in the world, whether we’re up or down, they stick with us. Quins fans, special shout-out to the travelling fans. I think there are around 3000 that travel with us across the world every away trip, especially in Europe. They’re there, you can hear them in loud voice.
“And then at the Stoop, I was lucky for the last four or five years; it was a sold-out Stoop every game, so keep supporting this team, because I think the future is bright.
“Trust me, it might not feel like that at the moment, but with some talent that’s coaches coming in, some of the young talent that’s coming through the building.
“Elliot Williams, I told him today, ‘if I were a betting man, I want to see him at the next World Cup. Lucas Friday, There are so many of them, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”