WP Nel
Edinburgh Rugby today announced the re-signing of Scotland international tighthead prop Willem ‘WP’ Nel on a three-year deal.
The highly sought-after front-row’s contract extension will keep him at the capital club until at least May 2020.
Nel joined Edinburgh Rugby in 2012 on a three-year deal, which was subsequently extended, and has made 102 appearances in the black and red since debuting against Munster the same year.
Renowned primarily for his world-class scrummaging, Nel has many strings to his bow and has crossed the whitewash on 15 occasions, scoring 75 points for the capital club.
Nel qualified to play for Scotland through residency in 2015 and went on to make his international debut later that year against Italy in Turin.
He has since been awarded 15 Scotland caps – including appearances in all of the national side’s Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2016 RBS 6 Nations matches – scoring two tries in the process.
On penning a new deal with Edinburgh Rugby, Nel said: “I’m delighted to be staying at Edinburgh for another three years. It’s an awesome club and I’m looking forward to continuing to play here.
“These are exciting times for everyone involved and I feel that everything is moving in the right direction. It’s been great to see a lot of young talent coming through this season and hopefully I can help with their development in the coming years.
“I was very glad and honoured that Edinburgh and Scottish Rugby approached me with a new deal and there were no second thoughts on re-signing with the club.
“The city, Edinburgh Rugby and its supporters are very close to my heart, and that was a huge factor in our decision to stay.”
Edinburgh Rugby Acting Head Coach Duncan Hodge, said: “WP is a huge acquisition for the club and Scottish Rugby. It’s fantastic that he has decided to commit his future to Edinburgh Rugby.
“To have a world-class player in a specialised position remaining at the club is a monumental boost to the squad.
“Props often peak late on in their careers and our fans can now look forward to WP entering this stage of his playing days in an Edinburgh Rugby shirt.
“The signing of a long-term contract will also allow our younger players access to an operator of WP’s experience, which will prove hugely beneficial for their personal development and the club going forward.”
edinburghrugby
Very good news for Edinburgh. It also sounds as if WP is quite settled there so it’s nice for him on a personal level to have certainty like this for at least the next 3 years.
@ Bullscot:
Said elsewhere he would have made an ideal replacement for Julian Redelinghuys at the Lions.
Guess we were sleeping again.
That said, Lions team and news for the game v The Kings on Sat:
The Emirates Lions team to take on the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday at 15:05
1. Jacques van Rooyen
2. Malcolm Marx
3. Ruan Dreyer
4. Andries Ferreira
5. Franco Mostert
6. Jaco Kriel
7. Ruan Ackermann
8. Warren Whiteley ©
9. Faf de Klerk
10. Elton Jantjies
11. Courtnall Skosan
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13. Harold Vorster
14. Madosh Tambwe
15. Andries Coetzee
16. Akker van der Merwe
17. Sti Sitole
18. Hencus van Wyk
19. Lourens Erasmus
20. Kwagga Smith
21. Dillon Smit
22. Jacques Nel
23. Sylvian Mahuza
Injuries:
Jaco van der Walt has a dislocated foot. It was reduced on Wednesday in theatre and he will be out for about 8 weeks.
Lionel Mapoe has a spiral/hairline fracture and is seeing a hand specialist on Friday.
Johannes Jonker was diagnosed with concussion against the Reds and is re-evaluated daily.
Dylan Smith will undergo a shoulder operation and will be out for 4 months.
@ Scrumdown:
“Said elsewhere he would have made an ideal replacement for Julian Redelinghuys at the Lions.
Guess we were sleeping again.” – Hi Scrumdown, there was concern among some fans here that he would be looking for a big pay day elsewhere – England or France were given as possibilities, didn’t realize about Lions speculation. Would have been very surprised if did go to you guys though, he seems quite settled with his family where he is and even though Scottish Rugby isn’t as rich as our southern neighbours think it would have been hard for Lions to make him an acceptable offer considering exchange rates, he would also have to do a lot more long haul travelling if he were playing for Lions in Super Rugby and back to UK for example for Autumn Internationals and Six Nations. Besides Joburg isn’t exactly Edinburgh…
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