Edinburgh announce signing of young South African centre

Jordan Venter will join up with squad in December

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill welcomed the signing. Picture: SNS

Edinburgh Rugby have announced the signing of young South African centre Jordan Venter.

The 17-year-old, who joins from Stellenbosch’s Paul Roos Gymnasium School, will travel to the capital in December 2020 after the conclusion of the South African academic year.

Venter on his decision to join, said: “I’m very humbled by the opportunity to join Edinburgh. I’m still a young man with lots to learn, so getting the chance to develop my own game overseas is the best decision for my rugby career.

“Edinburgh, as a city and as a club, has so much heritage and tradition. While the coaching staff and squad there are phenomenal.

“I’ve also got a good relationship with some of the South African players already there, so it will make for an easy transition when I make the move to Scotland.”

Venter is from George, Western Cape, the same town as Edinburgh winger Duhan van der Merwe.

The teenager took part in the 2019 Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament in Japan, where Paul Roos Gymnasium claimed first place, defeating St Peters College 52-5 in a one-sided final.

He was more recently named vice-captain of the South Africa under-18 Sevens side, which won last month’s Capricorn Group Sevens Rugby Tournament in Namibia.

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill said: “Jordan is a young, athletic centre with bags of potential. We have kept a close eye on his school career and he’ll be a welcome addition to the squad next season.”