The movement of players away from the Free State was reported on this site earlier today with mention being made of the exodus of various locks from the province. Here we bring the news article from the ‘other side’, announcing the arrival of former Free State lock Izak van der Westhuizen.

It had been announced quite a while back that he was going to be joining Edinburgh rugby club and so after a long wait it will be interesting to see how he gets on in the red and black.  Van der Westhuizen will be a welcome addition to an Edinburgh team that has struggled for much of this season, and will especially be valuable at this time of year when many of the team’s players will be away on international duty.

The full announcement as follows courtesy of the sru:

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)