Favourites ’emerge’ for Springbok’s signature as club deliberate over price

Despite being under contract until June 2026, Springboks centre Andre Esterhuizen is reportedly in talks to depart Harlequins.

The powerhouse Springbok has repeatedly been linked with a move away from the London club with potential suitors in France, Japan and, more notably, South Africa.

Where to next for Andre Esterhuizen?

However, whoever is able to prise Esterhuizen away from the Famous Quarters will need to pay a hefty transfer fee of £500,000 (around R12 million).

Toulon were reportedly interested, but the World Cup winner rejected their advances, while his former employers, the Sharks, have regularly been the headline suitors.

According to a RugbyPass report, the Stormers have also expressed their interest in the centre, but the Sharks have now “emerged as favourites” to secure his services after a week filled with discussions.

However, the main sticking point in luring Esterhuizen back to Durban is, in fact, the transfer fee, which the Sharks are locked in discussions with Harlequins to lower the payment.

The report adds that Sharks “are close to doing a deal” with the Premiership side.

Rassie Erasmus ‘knew’ Siya Kolisi would ‘struggle’ as Springboks captain

Sharks centre depth

While Sharks boss John Plumtree has previously expressed his desire to change the side’s recruitment policy to not just signing Springbok stars, the club is in the market for an inside centre following the departure of Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

Janse van Rensburg left the Sharks this week, signing a short-term deal with Japanese club Canon Eagles, where he will provide cover for the injured Jesse Kriel. Following that short-term deal, he is set to link up with Top 14 outfit Bordeaux.

Currently, the Sharks do have Springboks Francois Venter and Lukhanyo Am as their centre pairing, with Diego Appollis, Murray Koster, Muller du Plessis and Ethan Hooker also on their books.

Hooker is tipped for a bright future, and working closely with Esterhuizen and the other Bok stars could assist his development while he is bound to get minutes when the Test stars adhere to their mandatory rest periods.

As for Harlequins, it has been reported that the club is lining up a swoop for Bath’s Ollie Lawrence if Esterhuizen does opt to return to South Africa next season.

READ MORE: Springboks: Siya Kolisi puts a timeline on his retirement and what he wants to do next