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Harlequins’ South African duo Andre Esterhuizen and Wilco Louw will miss the restart of the Gallagher Premiership following complications in getting their visas due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Harlequins head of rugby Paul Gustard, the issues arose from the effects of the strict lockdown enforced in South Africa, Africa’s worst-affected country.

“The ability to get in and get the necessary paperwork done, with the amount of places shut down, has taken us a lot longer than we anticipated,” Gustard said.

Gustard said the club was expecting the duo to arrive this weekend, and another South African Tyrone Green should also join up with the squad not long after that.

Gustard said he was happy to have most of his players available for selection noting that the trio’s arrival will further strengthen the team.

“Other than that we are thankful that we have pretty much 90 percent of the squad fit and available.

“But we’ve got numbers, and it will be a nice boost when these players arrive and give us a lift.”

Seventh-placed Harlequins hosts second-placed Sale Sharks on Friday at The Stoop without fans in attendance.

The Gallagher Premiership was suspended indefinitely in April due to the coronavirus pandemic.