CONFIRMED: Bulls lock heads north
TRANSFER NEWS: Edinburgh have bolstered their options in the second row with the signing of experienced lock Andries Ferreira.
Ferreira, 30, joins the Scottish club on a one-year deal and provides further support in the second row with locks Grant Gilchrist and Fraser McKenzie both out with long-term injuries.
The South African – who has previously turned out for South African side sides Bulls, Cheetahs and Lions – once again links up with head coach Richard Cockerill whom he played for at RC Toulon in 2016-17.
Andries Ferreira thanks for putting in the hard yards, and being part of our #BullsFamily… Sterkte with the journey ahead 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/hMHpVnGgQU
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) October 22, 2020
On joining the club, Ferreira, said: “I’m really eager to get back playing again and make my mark in the Pro14. It’s a great competition with some brilliant players involved.
“I obviously know coach Cockerill from my time with Toulon. He really sold me on the club, its ambition and the way they want to play rugby.
“I can’t wait to get started and represent this great team and city.”
🔒 𝙇𝙊𝘾𝙆𝙀𝘿 𝙄𝙉.
Second-row @AndriesF4 has joined the club on a one year deal! 🔵🟠#WelcomeAndries 👋
— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) October 23, 2020
Head coach Richard Cockerill, added: “We’re obviously short in the second-row position, so it’s great that we’re able to bring in a player of Andries’ quality and experience.
“He’s a big man that has played plenty of rugby at a high level, while his work ethic and attitude are a good fit for the culture we have in place here at Edinburgh Rugby.
“We’re looking forward to seeing him in action in the coming months.”
Ferreira came through the ranks at Eastern Province and Blue Bulls where he subsequently named in the South African Schools squad in 2008.
The lock was a key man in the Blue Bulls Under-21 side before he made the move to Bloemfontein – joining the Cheetahs – as he searched for top flight rugby.
Ferreira was a success from the get-go and went straight into the Cheetahs’ squad for the 2012 Super Rugby season, making his first appearance for the franchise in a season opening defeat to the Lions.
The lock would make 20 appearances for the Cheetahs before joining Pro14 side Zebre in 2014 – where he played just half a season before returning to South Africa with the Golden Lions.
Ferreira enjoyed a run of fixtures with the Johannesburg-based team before making the move to RC Toulon in 2016-17 following an injury to compatriot Juan Smith.
The South African has been with the Blue Bulls since 2019, but now makes the move to the Scottish capital for the 2020-21 campaign.
