Izak in Black (and Red)

[stef.s]

New Edinburgh Rugby signing Izak van der Westhuizen declared himself fit and raring to go on his arrival from South Africa this morning.

A cornerstone of the Free State Cheetahs' pack, the 6’5, 18 stone, second-row started every game in this season’s Super Rugby and Currie Cup championships, where helped the club retain its Premier Division status in his last outing.

Despite missing only 40 minutes of rugby in 30 competitive games (as well as three warm-up fixtures), the 26-year-old stalwart assured fans he's desperate to bring his match fitness to the club's cause in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Van der Westhuizen, who arrived with his wife Bonita, is the third southern-hemisphere signing at the club this season, following fellow Cheetahs prop Willem Nel, and former Highlanders centre Ben Atiga from Super Rugby in the summer.

He said: “I’ve played a lot of rugby this season but I’m keen to meet up with the boys and get into action as soon as possible.

“I’m really excited to be here. It’s a new challenge and I’m looking forward to being part of a great club with a good attacking style.

“It’s often said that the PRO12 and Heineken Cup are the most physical competitions in the world, so I’m looking forward to seeing how it compares with my experiences in the southern hemisphere.

“I consider myself a pretty physical player, particularly in the tackle and contact areas, clearing out rucks and so on, while my lineout work is also something I pride myself on.

“I’ve spoken to Willem [Nel] since he arrived and he’s told me how professional the set-up is and how welcome he’s been made to feel.

“I’m really looking forward to my first match in the black and red of Edinburgh Rugby.”

Izak van der Westhuizen will undergo a medical at Murrayfield Stadium this afternoon and is expected to be available for selection for this Friday’s match against Ulster at Ravenhill (kick-off 7.05pm).

Izak van der Westhuizen (26) – second-row

Born: 23/01/1986 in Kimberley (South Africa) - Height: 196cm (6’5”), Weight: 113kg (18st)

Rugby career:
 Staats President Swart Primary School and Diamantveld High School
SA U18 development squad, University of the Free State, Free State Cheetahs U19 and U21, Free State Cheetahs XV (debut v Brumbies, 2010)

So on the bench or starting against Ulster?

[robdinsdale]

New Edinburgh Rugby signing Izak van der Westhuizen declared himself fit and raring to go on his arrival from South Africa this morning.

A cornerstone of the Free State Cheetahs' pack, the 6’5, 18 stone, second-row started every game in this season’s Super Rugby and Currie Cup championships, where helped the club retain its Premier Division status in his last outing.

Despite missing only 40 minutes of rugby in 30 competitive games (as well as three warm-up fixtures), the 26-year-old stalwart assured fans he's desperate to bring his match fitness to the club's cause in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Van der Westhuizen, who arrived with his wife Bonita, is the third southern-hemisphere signing at the club this season, following fellow Cheetahs prop Willem Nel, and former Highlanders centre Ben Atiga from Super Rugby in the summer.

He said: “I’ve played a lot of rugby this season but I’m keen to meet up with the boys and get into action as soon as possible.

“I’m really excited to be here. It’s a new challenge and I’m looking forward to being part of a great club with a good attacking style.

“It’s often said that the PRO12 and Heineken Cup are the most physical competitions in the world, so I’m looking forward to seeing how it compares with my experiences in the southern hemisphere.

“I consider myself a pretty physical player, particularly in the tackle and contact areas, clearing out rucks and so on, while my lineout work is also something I pride myself on.

“I’ve spoken to Willem [Nel] since he arrived and he’s told me how professional the set-up is and how welcome he’s been made to feel.

“I’m really looking forward to my first match in the black and red of Edinburgh Rugby.”

Izak van der Westhuizen will undergo a medical at Murrayfield Stadium this afternoon and is expected to be available for selection for this Friday’s match against Ulster at Ravenhill (kick-off 7.05pm).

Izak van der Westhuizen (26) – second-row

Born: 23/01/1986 in Kimberley (South Africa) - Height: 196cm (6’5”), Weight: 113kg (18st)

Rugby career:
 Staats President Swart Primary School and Diamantveld High School
SA U18 development squad, University of the Free State, Free State Cheetahs U19 and U21, Free State Cheetahs XV (debut v Brumbies, 2010)

So on the bench or starting against Ulster?

If he can tackle and hit a ruck can he start please?

[Wottie]

[/quote]If he can tackle and hit a ruck can he start please?[/quote]

All of this and can he also show Fordy how to take pride on his lineout work!

[onegun]

Surely he must start - what have we got to lose??!!

[JohnnieJ]

Hopefully straight onto the bench for Friday Nights game.
'Concerned Poster' are you still extremely worried as you have heard hes only 6,5?

[Weegie]

Hopefully straight onto the bench for Friday Nights game.
'Concerned Poster' are you still extremely worried as you have heard hes only 6,5?

I'm curious why you think he'd have changed his mind given that all vd Westhuizen has done is step off a plane, have a medical and train.

[zt1903]

Hopefully straight onto the bench for Friday Nights game.
'Concerned Poster' are you still extremely worried as you have heard hes only 6,5?

He obviously heard correctly as the article above seems to confirm that he is, indeed, 6'5

[Oldsalt]

A small one to fit in with the rest of the D*cks in the squad.

[concernedposter]

Hopefully straight onto the bench for Friday Nights game.
'Concerned Poster' are you still extremely worried as you have heard hes only 6,5?

Is he not 6ft 5?

I called for a marquee lock signing - he aint that.

[JohnnieJ]

Hopefully straight onto the bench for Friday Nights game.
'Concerned Poster' are you still extremely worried as you have heard hes only 6,5?

I'm curious why you think he'd have changed his mind given that all vd Westhuizen has done is step off a plane, have a medical and train.

My point dear man was the fact that it was an extremely childish thing to post and by the look of him in contact yesterday he is going to be far more effective than any of our current second rows even if he is 'only 6,5'

[djphilp]

...by the look of him in contact yesterday he is going to be far more effective than any of our current second rows...

They haven't exactly set the bar high for him though have they.

[Cammo Gunner]

...by the look of him in contact yesterday he is going to be far more effective than any of our current second rows...

They haven't exactly set the bar high for him though have they.

Our 2nd row started to falter when re re-signed 'ruck watcher general' Turnbull & released Craig Hamilton.

Hamilton at least had a physical edge & wasn't scared of getting in to action, whereas Turnbull seems to amble around the field & do hee-haw.

[JohnnieJ]

...by the look of him in contact yesterday he is going to be far more effective than any of our current second rows...

They haven't exactly set the bar high for him though have they.

So your saying with our current second rows not really performing this is a negative on his part?

[djphilp]

...by the look of him in contact yesterday he is going to be far more effective than any of our current second rows...

They haven't exactly set the bar high for him though have they.

So your saying with our current second rows not really performing this is a negative on his part?

Am I

What I am saying is that you are making the assumption that on one cameo performance he looks a better option than our current players, and I am saying it would not be hard to be better than them. So it is hardly an outstanding accolade to be ranked as our best second row.

[JohnnieJ]

You are still missing the point. Ease up on the negativity of a player because you feel that as the current squad members in his position are not up to much, he cannot be up to much. I simply stated I was impressed when he entered the fray.
Lets just say that I think he will be a useful acquisition you silly boy.