Stephan Lewies, the former Harlequins captain and second-row powerhouse, has announced he will leave the Premiership club at the end of the season to return home and join the Sharks in South Africa.

The 33-year-old made the move to Twickenham Stoop in 2019 and quickly became a cornerstone of the Harlequins pack, earning the captaincy in November 2020 and leading the side to their second Premiership title in the 2020-21 season.

Over seven seasons with Quins, Lewies amassed 88 appearances across all competitions, helping establish the club as one of the most formidable forces in English rugby.

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Lewies Reflects on His Time at Harlequins

Lewies spoke to the Harlequins website about his seven-year tenure, reflecting on both the professional and personal milestones he achieved:

“I reflect on my seven years at the club with a huge amount of gratitude. I arrived at the club in 2019 with a few suitcases and a girlfriend, and I’m leaving with a lot of memories, new friends, a wife, and a baby.

“My time at Quins has been unbelievable. It’s hard to put into words and say thank you enough, but gratitude is the word that comes to mind, along with a lot of pride.”

He added that his focus for the remainder of the season remains on finishing strongly:

“The aim for this season is to finish on a high. If there is one club that has proven they can turn it around, it is Harlequins, and I believe we can do that.”

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Leadership and Premiership Glory

Lewies took over the Harlequins captaincy from Chris Robshaw in November 2020 and immediately stamped his authority on the team. Under his leadership, Quins secured the 2020-21 Premiership title, defeating Exeter Chiefs in a dramatic Twickenham final that showcased the team’s resilience and attacking flair.

During his captaincy, Lewies was renowned not only for his lineout dominance and physicality in the scrum but also for fostering a winning culture within the squad.

He stepped down from the captaincy ahead of the 2024-25 season, passing the armband to flanker Alex Dombrandt, but continued to contribute significantly on the field.

This season, Lewies has made six appearances in all competitions and remains a respected figure in the squad, both on and off the pitch.

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International Experience

While his club career has been prolific, Lewies’ international experience remains limited, with one cap for the Springboks. Nevertheless, his leadership, professionalism, and consistency at club level have made him a valuable asset in Premiership rugby.

Returning to the Sharks marks a full-circle moment for the South African second-row, giving him an opportunity to play in his home country while imparting his wealth of European experience to a new generation of players.

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Legacy at Harlequins

Lewies leaves Twickenham having helped Harlequins cement their status as Premiership contenders, blending experience, leadership, and athleticism in the second row.

• Premiership Titles: 2 (2020-21 and earlier triumphs)
• Harlequins Appearances: 88
• Captaincy: 2020-2024
• International Caps: 1 for South Africa

His departure is sure to be felt by the squad, but his legacy as a leader, mentor, and Premiership winner will remain.