WATCH: Andre Esterhuizen runs over Owen Farrell as pair meet again

Adam Kyriacou
Saracens v Harlequins

South Africa centre Andre Esterhuizen and England fly-half Owen Farrell are no stranger to each other and they renewed their ongoing battle on Saturday.

Playing for their respective club sides, Harlequins and Saracens, the duo locked horns in an entertaining Premiership clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

2018 clash caused plenty of debate

The pair were in the headlines back in 2018 when England faced South Africa in the end-of-year internationals, with Farrell‘s tackle causing plenty of debate.

With the score 12-11 in England’s favour, the Boks were throwing everything at the English defence before Esterhuizen picked up a loose ball and carried hard.

He was met by a fierce hit from Farrell before the ball was turned over and replacement prop Harry Williams booted it into touch to bring an end to the game.

The officials deemed the tackle legal and England held on to win, but the Boks were subsequently furious and a lack of citing added further fuel to the fire.

Rassie Erasmus was filmed conducting a tongue in cheek tackle session with Esterhuizen in training in the aftermath, which increased the game’s fallout.

Meet again at Tottenham’s ground

Over four years later and Farrell and Esterhuizen had another moment of physicality on Saturday when their clubs clashed in a Premiership league match.

Once again it was the Springbok with the big carry but this time Farrell could not halt the powerful inside centre, who steamrolled over the Saracens star.

Farrell won’t want to see this again but at least his club outfit came out on top, winning 36-24 in a result that seals a home semi-final in the Premiership.

For Harlequins, their hopes of knockout rugby are finished as they lie in eighth place with the defeat their 10th of a campaign that has been disappointing.

Saracens will hope Farrell recovers in time for this week’s Champions Cup match against Ospreys, with the fly-half leaving the field injured on 70 minutes.

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