Andre Bester

“Anyone can ‘get up’ for teams like Harlequins, but the mark of a professional is to do the same week in week out for games you are expected to win! Then I will take my hat off to you and say, ‘You’ve got the attitude to walk a path with me into Premiership rugby.’

Our performance today was error ridden, but the reason for that was we made twelve changes from last week’s side. We gave a lot of new guys the opportunity to play, so there’s going to be a lot of errors.

To me it was do you have it between your ears, the top six inches. The top six inches to make into Premiership rugby, don’t take anything for granted. That’s what I wanted to know from this game today, the performance wasn’t that great, but the attitude was excellent.

Chris Hala’ufia was outstanding; he’s a very good player. The big thing with Chris is you need to channel that energy in the right direction and it took me a few weeks to work Chris out.

WP Strauss has been unlucky with injuries, but that was his 3^rd match back and he needs game time. WP knows what’s going on, he’s got great vision and he’s a well qualified young guy. I think a lot of people doubted me when I said how good he really is, but you haven’t seen the best of him yet.”

“I surprised myself getting all ten out of ten. Usually I’m one of those kickers who blow’s hot and cold. I either kick everything or miss everything, but it’s always easier when the first one goes over.

We came in at half time and we were a little disjointed, we spoke some harsh words – especially Andre. Andre told us that a true professional is not measured by the way he can psyche himself up for a Quins game, because everyone can do that. It’s the way you psyche yourself up for these games and get yourself in the right mind frame.

And that’s what we tried to do and we just went out there and that’s what happened. We made some mistakes and there’s a lot of work to do, but it’s a nice confidence boost ahead of next week’s game against Pertemps Bees.

It’s a good competition for us both playing, (Me and Mike Whitehead) because if it’s raining Mike is the guy to go with because he’s got a much better kicking boot than I and he kicks the corners well. But if you want to play the running game, that’s where I come in. I think we complement each other very well and Andre can switch the game plan whenever he likes.”