Harlequins have a distinctly South African feel in their line up for the Premiership season opener against double winners Exeter at the Stoop tomorrow evening.
Quins are missing 12 players to injury, including James Chisholm and Chris Ashton, four on international duty with England and Scotland, and Elia Elia to suspension.
New captain Stephan Lewies starts at lock, while Wilco Louw and Andre Esterhuizen – who both joined the club towards the end of last season – line up at tighthead and centre respectively.
Young Englishmen Marcus Smith, Alex Dombrandt and Nathan Earle all start as Quins enter the post-Chris Robshaw era. Stalwarts Danny Care and Mike Brown remain, however.
“We feel privileged that we have had the opportunity to do three events post-Covid,” said Head of Rugby Paul Gustard. “The first game of this season, first game of restart, and the first fans pilot. As a club we’ve worked hard with the RFU and PRL and it’s a privilege to start the new campaign.
“Every club wants to start with a win. We’re at home, and it’s important to win your home games. We want to maximise the time when teams have got more internationals away. We have a few but we have a relatively settled squad.
“If you fall behind too much and you get stuck in a rut of defeats, it’s a hard thing to get out of.”
