Stephan Lewies is headed back to Durban, and this time, he’s on a mission to rewrite his Sharks story, which admittedly had a less-than-ideal previous chapter. At 33, the towering lock is looking to sprinkle a little sunshine over the memories of his somewhat stormy exit from the Sharks back in 2018. After an impressive stint in England with Harlequins, Lewies is now set to bring his wealth of experience back home.
“I didn’t leave the Sharks on the best terms in 2018. I had a falling out with some of the coaches and it wasn’t nice to leave like that,” Lewies revealed, reflecting on his previous departure which saw him briefly join the Lions before venturing off to England. His time abroad wasn’t just a jaunt across the pond; it was a career-defining saga. Lewies not only racked up over 90 caps with Harlequins but also captained them to a historic Premiership title in the 2020-21 season.
“That season was incredibly special. The way we came back in so many games made it unforgettable,”
Lewies remarked, his pride evident even through the nostalgia of his achievements overseas.
Now, as he prepares to don the Sharks jersey once again, Lewies is not just returning as a seasoned player, but as a prodigal son ready to pour every ounce of his being into the team. “It’s nice to go back now and say thank you, and to empty my tank there,” he said, hinting at a heartfelt reunion with the union that kickstarted his professional journey. His goals are clear: “I want to add value and finish on a high note. I want to say thank you through my actions — how I train, how I help the young guys and how I play.”
The bridge back to Sharks was partly built by his former Harlequins teammate and current Sharks captain, Andre Esterhuizen, who played a crucial role in facilitating Lewies' return. With such a support system, it seems Lewies is all set to make waves back in the familiar waters of Durban, proving that you can indeed go home again, and maybe even mend some fences along the way.
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Stephan Lewies is headed back to Durban, and this time, he’s on a mission to rewrite his Sharks story, which admittedly had a less-than-ideal previous chapter. At 33, the towering lock is looking to sprinkle a little sunshine over the memories of his somewhat stormy exit from the Sharks back in 2018. After an impressive stint in England with Harlequins, Lewies is now set to bring his wealth of experience back home.
“I didn’t leave the Sharks on the best terms in 2018. I had a falling out with some of the coaches and it wasn’t nice to leave like that,” Lewies revealed, reflecting on his previous departure which saw him briefly join the Lions before venturing off to England. His time abroad wasn’t just a jaunt across the pond; it was a career-defining saga. Lewies not only racked up over 90 caps with Harlequins but also captained them to a historic Premiership title in the 2020-21 season.
“That season was incredibly special. The way we came back in so many games made it unforgettable,”
Lewies remarked, his pride evident even through the nostalgia of his achievements overseas.Now, as he prepares to don the Sharks jersey once again, Lewies is not just returning as a seasoned player, but as a prodigal son ready to pour every ounce of his being into the team. “It’s nice to go back now and say thank you, and to empty my tank there,” he said, hinting at a heartfelt reunion with the union that kickstarted his professional journey. His goals are clear: “I want to add value and finish on a high note. I want to say thank you through my actions — how I train, how I help the young guys and how I play.”
The bridge back to Sharks was partly built by his former Harlequins teammate and current Sharks captain, Andre Esterhuizen, who played a crucial role in facilitating Lewies' return. With such a support system, it seems Lewies is all set to make waves back in the familiar waters of Durban, proving that you can indeed go home again, and maybe even mend some fences along the way.