Esterhuizen says no to Toulon

ON THE BLINDSIDE

BY NEIL FISSLER

Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen is on the shopping list for several clubs in Japan after appearing to have rejected the chance of a move to France, where he had been linked with a move to Toulon.

Esterhuizen, below, who is 30 in March, played a key role in helping Quins win the Premiership in 2021 and is due to be under contract at the Twickenham Stoop until the end of next season.

The Springbok inside centre, part of the World Cup winning squad this season, had a stint in Japan with Munakata Sanix Blues before moving to south-west London.

Toulon, who are on the lookout for a worldclass centre, identified Esterhuizen as a possible transfer target, but it would appear that if he is going to move next season, it could be to Japan rather than across the Channel.