Harlequins have confirmed that South African lock Stephan Lewis has signed a new long-term contract with the Premiership club.

Lewies initially moved to Harlequins in 2017 after a short loan stint at the Johannesburg-based Lions from the Sharks in Durban.

The 29-year-old has since become a prominent figure for Quins, and was named to succeed former captain Chris Robshaw as the club’s official skipper after just his first season in southwest London.

Able to play flank in addition to his usual position in the second row, Lewies has made 28 appearances after his Quins debut against London Irish in September 2019.

A South African international, the Springbok tight-five forward has played once for the Springboks, coming on as a replacement as the hosts beat Scotland 55-6 in Port Elizabeth.

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Lewies said: ‘I’m very happy to extend my time here and excited for the future at Quins. I think we’re building something special and I’m excited to be part of that.

‘I think we have quite a diverse group. I haven’t worked with a group like this before. That in itself has helped me grow as a person and as a player.

‘We have a great leadership group here with some experienced guys like Joe Marler, Danny Care, Mike Brown and Scott Baldwin helping guide us. With the younger leaders like Alex Dombrandt, James Chisholm and Marcus Smith stepping up, I think we’re in a good spot leadership-wise.

‘You join a club to serve a club, and you wear that jersey to leave it in a better place. I aim to do that; to leave this jersey in a better place. Part of that is getting silverware and results for the club, and that is one of my goals.’

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Club general manager Billy Millard said: ‘We’re thrilled to have big Steph re-sign at the Club. Stephan made an instant impact after arriving at the club in 2019 and instantly became a key player for us.

‘He’s done a fantastic job in his first season as our club captain to date and it’s been fantastic to see him lead by example in training and matches.

‘It’s great to have him recommit his future to Harlequins.’

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@lewies4 has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal to stay at Harlequins.

? https://t.co/UQbxywlP9z #COYQ pic.twitter.com/gs9whcaw81

— Harlequins ? (@Harlequins) March 22, 2021

Photo: Harlequins