Herbst out to give Quins some grunt
IRNE Herbst hopes to add some extra grunt and guile to the Harlequins pack to boost the Londoners’ bid to regain the title.
The lock has joined the ever-growing list of South Africans to set up rugby home in the Premiership having decided it was time to switch from Italy to England.
Herbst, 29, is well aware he has joined a club now renowned for its running, attacking rugby where backs flourish and enjoy the praise and limelight.
However, he also insists there are always times when, as Quins found to their dismay against a black brick wall in the shape of Saracens in their semi-final last season, the big men in the boiler room must come into their own.
Herbst aims to use his hefty 18st 6lbs, 6ft 6in frame to good use and insists: “I’ve watched a lot of the Premiership on TV back home in South Africa, and it looks very tough with no easy games. Harlequins play an exciting brand of rugby with an attacking philosophy, so I will need to get used to it and try and improve on certain areas of my game.
“Personally, I like to be physical. I like to do the basics well and help set up a good maul. It’s about having a good mixture of playing some good rugby on top of a solid set piece. You just need to get that balance right.
“There are times when the weather is not good and you need to grind it out with your pack plus employ a bit of a kicking game. That’s when a strong set piece is very important in this league and hopefully I can help improve upon that here.”
Herbst has already fitted in perfectly at The Stoop since moving from Benetton linking up with countrymen Stephan Lewies and Wilco Louw, and the former Bulls and Kings forward insists: “I knew Stef and Wilco from playing with and against them in South Africa and they have helped me settle in to my new surroundings, showing me around and telling me about different things. I am excited to get this new challenge going in my career, and show what I can do.
“When I was young I heard about Harlequins and knew it was one of the top English clubs and it’s every kids’ dream to play for such a team. Harlequins have got back to the top of English club rugby in recent years and the club are clearly very ambitious to stay there and win trophies. Hopefully, I can enjoy some success on the field with them.”