A product of Hoërskool Pionier in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, Elandre Huggett represented the Natal Sharks at the U18 Academy Week in 2008, before enrolling at the University of the Free State. Not only did Huggett impress for the UFS Shimlas in the Varsity Cup, but he also established himself as a valued member of the Free State Cheetahs squads in both the U19 and U21 Currie Cup competitions. A senior professional debut followed in the 2011 Vodacom Cup, where the 19-year-old nailed down a role as starting hooker, whilst also stepping in as a pillaging openside flanker when called upon.

A stint at the Griffons in the Currie Cup 1^st Division saw the mobile front ranker enjoy considerable game time, but it was in the 2015 Varsity Cup that Elandre truly began to shine on the national stage. Huggett’s selection for the Varsity Cup Dream Team (Team of the Tournament) saw him summarily drafted into the Cheetahs Super Rugby squad, where his time as a back rower brought with it an instinctual understanding of when to attempt a turnover at the breakdown. After almost a decade in Bloemfontein, the experienced and dependable lineout thrower moved to France, where he quickly became a crucial performer in Narbonne’s Fédérale 1 challenge, and subsequent move up to the newly formed Nationale division.