Du Preez to remain in the black and red

"I'm very pleased to be staying. The squad karma is really good and the club is moving forward, said Du Preez.

"I enjoy working with Alan [Solomons] and it's good that he's staying on, I know what he expects from me."

Du Preez signed for the club during season 2013/14 from Super Rugby franchise, the Southern Kings, where he had previously worked with head coach Solomons, arriving after the 2011 Junior World Championships.

The dynamic back-rower has displayed his form as a powerful ball carrier alongside his prowess in defence since his arrival in the capital and has already earned two man of the match awards this season.

A serious lower leg injury during the sixth match of 2014/15 against Dragons was expected to end his season however he was able to make a welcome return, off the bench, against the Dragons, in the April 2015 European Cup semifinal win at Murrayfield.

"It was difficult coming back from injury but our club physios did a great job to fix me up and all's good now.

"I obviously missed taking part in the 1872 Scottish Cup win last season but the experience around the win this season is definitely a highlight of my time at the club so far.

"I'm looking forward to helping the club stay in the top group of the Pro12 and challenging for a place in the Champions Cup next season, and to testing my abilities and those of the club," said Du Preez.

Head coach Solomons was happy to hold onto Du Preez's services.

"I am delighted that Cornell has committed to Edinburgh Rugby.

"He is a class player who has proved invaluable for us. He is also a great bloke and a good team man and I look forward to us continuing to work together."

Meanwhile, hooker Neil Cochrane has also re-signed with Edinburgh for another two seasons.

The former Scotland under-21 captain signed to Edinburgh two seasons ago from London Wasps, after a nine-year exile south of the border. Prior to his time with the Premiership club he spent eight years in the Championship.

"The foundations that Solly [Alan Solomons] has instilled in the squad and the continued improvement of the club on the pitch shows we're making headway, we have a good platform to build from and I want to continue to be part of that," said Cochrane. 

The former Scotland Under-21 captain signed to Edinburgh two seasons ago from London Wasps, after a nine-year exile south of the border. Prior to his time with the Premiership club he spent eight years in the Championship.

An ex-pupil of capital high school Boroughmuir, Neil made a positional switch from back-row to hooker mid career.

"I'm an Edinburgh boy but at the time, when I was a back-rower, there was no opportunity to play at the club.

"I got lots of life experience as well as playing experience when I was down south and was delighted to be able to come back in 2014 and do what I've always wanted to do, which is play for Edinburgh."

Neil made his debut off the bench against Ospreys at the start of the 2014/15 league season then, in the European Cup win over London Welsh at Murrayfield in December 2014, he scored his debut try for the club five minutes after coming on to the field.

"We have some talented young hookers coming through the club, which is great and keeps me on my toes.

"Ultimately I just want to work hard and keep playing well for Edinburgh," Cochrane added.

Solomons said: "Neil has made a terrific contribution to the team since returning home from Wasps.

"He is an Edinburgh man through and through and the club means a great deal to him.

"He is a superb hooker and a very good leader.

"Personally, I look forward to us continuing to work together."