Ospreys South African signing Rynier Bernardo excited by Welsh rugby chance

 

New Ospreys signing Rynier Bernardo says he can’t get wait to get started in Welsh rugby.

The South African second row has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Liberty Stadium outfit and will come on board this summer.

At just 22, he is a bright prospect who already has Super 15 experience, having played 10 times for the Port Elizabeth-based Southern Kings.

He came through the ranks at Eastern Province Kings, representing them at age-grade level before appearing in both the Vodacom and Currie Cup competitions. 

The Ospreys have reached agreement with Eastern Province over his release, enabling him to spend a full pre-season with his new team.

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At 6ft 7ins and 17st 8lbs, the Pretoria-born youngster will add a real physical presence and is keen to make his mark.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me, personally and professionally, and I’m really excited about arriving in Wales this summer,” he said.

“The Ospreys are a great team used to competing at the top end of the PRO12, with some great players, and I’m looking forward to being a part of a young and talented squad there.

“It’s a big challenge for me, but I can’t wait to get started. Hopefully I’ll be able to make a big impression and help the team to more success, domestically and in European competition.”

Bernardo is the fourth new face confirmed for next season following Worcester’s Fijian centre Josh Matavesi and Dragons duo Dan Evans and Sam Parry.

Operations manager Andy Lloyd commented: “Rynier is an exciting addition to our squad and something of a coup for the Ospreys.

“He is highly respected in his home country and comes with a strong reputation as a traditional second-row who tackles well, hits rucks, and has the all-round physical edge that you expect from a South African in that position. It’s a really positive signing for us.

“As well as being impressed by what we’ve seen of him, we spoke to a lot of people whose opinion we value about his character, on and off the field, and what he will bring to our environment.

“He’s a big man who thrives on the unglamorous side of the game and will do the work that doesn’t get seen, allowing our back row boys and the backs to express themselves.

“He’s a young man who has chosen to come here for the challenge instead of staying in South Africa where our feedback tells us he is extremely highly regarded as a potential future Springbok. That kind of attitude is exactly what we want in an Osprey.

“Bringing in Rynier means that we have increased options available to us for next season and we won’t have to over rely on the likes of James King and Tyler Ardron in the second row. They are great club men who will do any job asked of them, but we see them primarily as back rowers. 

“It’s important that we have additional options in the squad, not only to keep the likes of Alun Wyn and Lloyd Peers on their toes, but to also support the next tier of locks coming through the system.”

In addition to the four new recruits, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Lewis, Ashley Beck, Eli Walker, Jonathan Spratt, Ben John, Ryan Bevington and Dmitri Arhip have all signed contract extensions.

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Ospreys South African signing Rynier Bernardo excited by Welsh rugby chance