Dragons icon Brok Harris to get Parade goodbye with Stormers

Prop Brok Harris is assured of a standing ovation on his return to Newport with the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship, something that the prop felt he had been denied by the coronavirus pandemic.

The South African’s last appearance for the Dragons on Welsh soil happened in May in a behind closed doors Rainbow Cup fixture against Glasgow at Cardiff City Stadium.

It was not the send-off that 36-year-old Harris deserved after seven seasons and 143 appearances, most of them starts, for the Rodney Parade region.

Thankfully, the popular front rower will get a chance to say a proper, and emotional, farewell.

FAREWELL: Brok Harris' last game as a Dragon in Wales was at Cardiff City Stadium behind closed doors

“I never thought that I would get the chance to come back, especially so quickly,” said Harris. “Friday is going to be massive and I am so glad the fans will be in.

“I couldn’t really say goodbye and I am really fortunate to be in this position to play at Rodney Parade in front of the fans again.

“I felt that chance had gone and it was so hard not being able to say thank you for all the support that me and my family was given through the seven years in Wales.

“I didn’t get that closure but now I can. It will be emotional and I am so glad that it can happen this way.”

Harris’ Dragons exit was messy with the region unable to offer a contract extension because of budget uncertainty due to wrangling with the Welsh Rugby Union.

The South African, who was Welsh-qualified on residency, grew tired of waiting an opted to return home to Cape Town with his wife Madelein and children Divan, Lara and Reuben.

It brought to an end a superb career at Rodney Parade; Harris is among the Dragons’ best signings, let alone best overseas recruits, playing a key role in the development of Wales front rowers Elliot Dee and Leon Brown.

UPSET: The Dragons' South African contingent of Sarel Pretorius, Rynard Landman, Carl Meyer and Brok Harris after the win at Gloucester

“I had so many good times and made so many friends,” he said. “The win against Gloucester at Kingsholm [in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals] was an incredible experience.

“Then there was the Boxing Day derby when we beat Cardiff at the Arms Park and Judgement Day against the Scarlets.

“It will be weird playing against so many teammates and saying goodbye to the fans. But I am on the opposition now – they will support their team in the 80 minutes and I am not expecting anything else!”

Harris didn’t think he would be returning to Europe so swiftly as a player.

The Stormers suffered some front row injuries and, with Steven Kitshoff on Springboks duty, the prop returned to the club he played for before signing for Lyn Jones’ Dragons in 2014.

Harris did his Welsh Rugby Union coaching badges and is combining his duties on the field with a spot of mentoring while scrum coach Hanyani Shimange has been absent due to broadcasting commitments for the Rugby Championship.

“I was always in contact with some of the Stormers and Western Province guys and they asked if I was willing to start playing again,” said Harris, who is approaching a century of appearances for the side.

“I was open to that and it’s good to be able to help with the scrums as a little bit of a player-coach. I know the conditions here and all of the teams so it was a win-win situation.”

MOBILE: Prop Brok Harris was strong in the loose and the set piece for the Dragons

Harris started in the 34-18 defeat in Munster, a scoreline that doesn’t reflect how close the game was, and played the full 80 minutes in the 20-20 draw at Edinburgh.

There is no doubt that the Stormers will be fierce competition for the Dragons, as shown by the Sharks winning at the Ospreys and Bulls turning over Cardiff last weekend.

Harris is on familiar territory this week – training a Tim Swiel punt away from his old house in Pontprennau – but his new teammates are still adjusting to Europe.

“It was always going to take time for all the South African sides to get used to the different way of refereeing and the style of rugby played in the northern hemisphere,” said Harris, who will be reunited with his family after this weekend.

“It won’t come overnight but we have seen that we will all improve week on week as the competition grows.

“The Dragons are a good side and have made some strong signings with their props and Will Rowlands, while the back row is world class.

“We know that Friday is going to be a very tough game but we are looking forward to it.”

And so are the Dragons supporters thanks to the opportunity to give a proper send-off to one of their favourites.