Committed: Stephan Lewies
(Picture: Getty Images)Stephan Lewies has handed Harlequins a major boost by signing a contract extension at The Stoop.
The 30-year-old joined Quins from South African outfit Lions in 2019, and captained the Twickenham men to their Gallagher Premiership title triumph in 2021.
Lewies replaced former England captain Chris Robshaw as Harlequins captain in 2020, and has formed an integral part of Tabai Matson’s set-up ever since.
The one-cap South Africa lock has returned to fitness in recent weeks, with Quins hoping a raft of returnees can now spark a reversal of fortunes after four straight defeats.
“I am delighted to extend my time at Harlequins; this is a great team and I consider myself fortunate to be able to be captain of such a historic club," said Lewies.
“We have done some special things together as a group and it continues to be a hugely enjoyable place to be.
“It is great to be back playing with such a talented group of players and I’m looking forward to helping the team push for further honours.
“This is a group with a clear focus of what matters to us and what our values are. I’m delighted to re-sign with this group and can’t wait to see how far we can go together.”
Former Quins boss Paul Gustard opted to make Lewies club captain in 2020 ahead of the likes of homegrown talents Joe Marler, Danny Care and Mike Brown.
And the powerful second row has retained that leadership role since Matson’s arrival ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Harlequins will host Durban outfit the Sharks on Saturday, chasing a victory that could yet push them through to the Champions Cup knockout stage.
“As one of the leading voices in this playing group and a great leader we’re delighted to have Steph extend his time at Quins," said head coach Matson.
“He’s a top-class operator on the field and drives standards off the pitch too. His leadership is second to none and his passion for the club and its supporters is at the heart of everything he does.
“Winning the Premiership in his first season as captain speaks volumes of his influence on this group and we’re excited to see where his leadership can take us next."
