Edinburgh capture Cheetahs lock Izak Van der Westhuizen

Edinburgh yesterday made a third southern-hemisphere swoop with the signing of Free State Cheetah’s lock Izak van der Westhuizen on a two-year contract.

The South African will join fellow Cheetah WP Nel (prop) and former Junior World Player of the Year and All Black, Ben Atiga, on the long-haul flight to Edinburgh, where they will be met by seven other high-profile signings, including Welsh internationalists John Yapp (prop) and Richie Rees (scrum-half), Georgian World Cup No 8, Dimitri Basilaia, and English Premiership backs Greig Tonks and Michael Penn.

Born in Kimberley, 26-year-old van der Westhuizen is a lineout and restart specialist. He is also a formidable ball carrier in the loose thanks to impressive athleticism and a 6ft 5in, 18 stone frame.

After promising showings in the Springboks under-18 academy, van der Westhuizen was called up to the Cheetah’s under-19 and under-21 sides before progressing to the senior squad aged 24, with a Super Rugby debut against the Brumbies in 2010.

A groin injury meant he played only a handful of Super Rugby games in the 2011 season but he returned this season to become a mainstay for the Cheetahs, starting all 12 of the club’s matches. He will compete for a starting second row spot at Edinburgh with recently re-signed trio Sean Cox, Grant Gilchrist and Steven Turnbull, as well as fellow new boys Robert McAlpine and Perry-John Parker.

Van der Westhuizen who, subject to visa approval, will arrive in October due to Currie Cup commitments, said: “I want to test myself against the top players in Europe so, when I found out Edinburgh Rugby were looking for a player with my skill-set, I was desperate to sign.

“I like the pace the boys play with, it’s very similar to a Super Rugby style which gives me a lot of confidence that I’ll fit in well.

“I run the set-piece for the Cheetahs but, when the ball’s in play, I like to be in the centre of the park getting stuck into the physical side of the game and hitting rucks.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the club. They’ve some real talent joining the squad and some quality Scottish players re-signed too so I think it’s the ideal time to be part of a really exciting squad.”

As well as the new arrivals, Edinburgh have retained or extended the contracts of 19 of their squad, and head coach Michael Bradley said: “Over the course of this season we have been putting the right building blocks in place to tackle what is arguably the most eagerly anticipated season in the club’s history.

“Reaching the Heineken Cup semi-final set the benchmark for our players’ performance so we have recruited and retained a number of key players to bring consistency and set a new standard for Edinburgh Rugby. The increased investment in our squad from Scottish Rugby will not only intensify the competition for places but means we will be on a much stronger footing to compete on all fronts.”