Andre Esterhuizen has given a stunning verdict on Marcus Smith, revealing how close he himself came to quitting English rugby before his Harlequins career even started.
The Springbok star has become a cult favorite during his four years at the Stoop and is a key player for the Springboks, who face Toulouse in France on Sunday for a place in the Investec Champions Cup final.
His time playing alongside Smith helped Quins to Premiership glory and the chance of a league and cup double ahead of his return to Durban-based Sharks in the summer.
This saw him go from a little-known deal to being named the 2022 Rugby Players' Association Player of the Year and World Cup winner earlier this season.
“Actually, I wanted to go home.”
But today, as the world goes into lockdown in response to the coronavirus, Mr Esterhuizen revealed how close he came to canceling his UK mission shortly after arriving in London.
Speaking exclusively to Planet Rugby, he revealed: As soon as we arrived here, we went into lockdown for almost a year.
“We couldn't really go out, socialize, go see different places. We were in a new country and were trying to settle in, but we had to just sit indoors. Yes, it was quite difficult.”
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Esterhuizen was 6,000 miles from home, alone with his then-pregnant wife Mabea and 1-year-old son Liam, amid chronic uncertainty, global fear and enforced restrictions. I pause to think back on that time.
“We moved into a house, without any furniture or anything. We could only order online,” he continued. “Personally, I really struggled, especially in the winter.
“I almost said I wanted to use the termination clause in my contract at the end of the first year. I had to fight that feeling and tell myself I wasn't giving myself a chance. .
“My wife and I talked about it for a long time, and in the end we said, 'Okay, we've come this far, let's do it right.' It was a big decision. Fortunately, , we chose to stay because something very good happened behind the scenes.”
Winning the premiership and Marcus Smith
Through a difficult period for the whole world, Harlequins came up with the idea of creating a “bubble” where players, coaches, staff and families could coexist. It proved to be a masterstroke.
“A year later we won the premiership,” Esterhuizen said. “Looking back, I think that was one of the key factors in our success.
“We were always together. If anything was going on in our lives, it was rugby-related. Nothing else happened. We were really together as a group. They had a strong bond.”
The midfield partnership between Esterhuizen and fly-half Smith was and remains an influential element, leading to favoring England's number 10 and perhaps raising eyebrows in South Africa. Dew.
Asked to name the best flyhalf he has ever played with, Esterhuizen replied: [Pollard] Manny or something [Libbok].
“But personally, from a work ethic standpoint, as a student of the game, and as an incredible player who can create something out of nothing, I think that's the best player I've ever played with in my life. The best flyhalf is Marcus.
“Many people may not realize it, but Marcus is calm. Even though he is one of the best players in the world, he is one of those players who always wants to learn and get better.
“For me, he's definitely the best fly-half I've ever played with that suited me. I think playing next to him will help me play even better. became.”
Esterhuizen described the 25-year-old as an “incredible” player and “great” team man.
“People would think he's trying something on his own, but the amount of management he has on the field and what he wants to do for and with the team is very remarkable. “It's a thing,” he added.
“When something needs to happen and he has to make something happen himself, he will definitely create something out of it. He has the ability to do magical things, to make something out of nothing. It has the ability to create.”
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Toulouse's challenge
Given that the 10-12 pair will face off against Romain Ntamak and Pita Aki at a packed 33,150-capacity Le Stadium in Toulouse, not to mention Antoine Dupont and Jack Willis, Quins has that ' Every drop of “magic” will be needed.
When both clubs met at the Stoop in the pool stage, the five-time champions outscored the hosts, scoring 7-3 tries to win 47-19.
“Fair play to Toulouse, they were great and deserved the win,” Quins captain Alex Dombrandt admitted on a punishing December night.
“When they make line breaks and have offloads left, right and center, it’s hard to stop them.”
Toulouse sits in second place in France's top 14, despite not having the services of Dupont and Ntamak until recently.
It was in the Champions Cup that they really emerged, defeating Racing 92 (31-7) and Exeter Chiefs (64-26) in two knockout matches.
Unsurprisingly, odds of 7/1 are widely available for Quins.
Despite this, Esterhuizen and his mates snowballed into a 42-41 victory in a hellish away win at Bordeaux last week, conjuring up a 42-41 victory that is still talked about on both sides of the Channel. It has become.
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Scrumhalf Danny Care admits the “fear factor” that comes with playing against a team like Toulouse, knowing what could happen if he goes even slightly wrong.
“Andre the Giant,” as he is affectionately known, likes to view Sunday games as a golden opportunity to achieve something special.
“One of the things about this club is that we can always perform even when our backs are against the wall and when no one thinks we can,” he said. “If you act with the right mindset and the right strategy, anything can happen.”
Whatever happens in the final weeks of his British adventure, one thing is certain.
The Potchefstroom native will always be grateful for his decision not only to come, but to stay for so long.
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