Watsonians prop Coertze signs for Muir

After a decade at Myreside during which he made more than 200 Watsonians appearances the 34-year-old South  African feels it is time for a change of scene.

“I possibly have one more season of top club rugby left in me so I wanted to play at the highest level open to me,” said Coertze. “I had a lot of good times at Watsonians particularly winning one of the two Scottish Cup finals I was involved in.

“Without getting ahead of myself it would be tremendous if I could win a Premiership title at Boroughmuir where I will be renewing acquaintance with (coach) Fergus Pringle.

“Back in South African our paths occasionally crossed on the pitch when Fergus was in Johannesburg and I was at Stellenbosch. I’ve been training at Boroughmuir for a month now and if I can bring on some of their good young props then that would be a cause for satisfaction as well.”

Boroughmuir official Peter Blackhall says: “In addition to Kian we have been joined by hooker, Mike Brown, from the Melbourne club, Powerhouse. Mike will provide excellent back-up to Sean Crombie especially as Calum Mackintosh has returned to Gala.”

Boroughmuir have arranged an opening pre-season friendly at Gala on August 4 to be followed by a visit to Tynedale and a four-team round-robin event at Meggetland featuring Dundee High, Stirling County and Wharfedale who are coached by former Meggetland favourite, Tommy McGee, later a professional prop forward with Leeds Tykes. After that comes a clash with Ayr to launch the new  ten-team top division.

Blackhall said: “The new set up is going to be incredibly competitive with teams either battling for one of the four places in an expanded British and Irish Cup or fighting relegation.

“It is a major objective to qualify for the B&I Cup and that is reflected in our training under Fergus Pringle and David Officer who has come on board as backs coach.”