Ospreys pick up a King

 

Born in Pretoria, Bernardo came through the ranks at Eastern Province Kings, representing them at age-grade level before playing in both the Vodacom and Currie Cup competitions.

 

In 2013 he graduated to Super Rugby with the Southern Kings, playing in 10 games for the tournament newcomers.

 

This season he has again been featuring for Eastern Province, but the Ospreys have reached agreement with his club to enable his release in time to enable him to spend a full pre-season with his new team.

 

He will add a physical presence to the Ospreys second row options, standing 1.99m tall and weighing in at 113kg, bringing the traditional hard nosed South African approach to forward play Wales.

 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me, personally and professionally, and I’m really excited about arriving in Wales this summer," Bernardo said

 

"The Ospreys are a great team used to competing at the top end of the Pro12, with some great players, and I’m looking forward to being a part of a young and talented squad there.

 

“It’s a big challenge for me, but I can’t wait to get started. Hopefully I’ll be able to make a big impression and help the team to more success, domestically and in European competition.”

 

Bernardo is the fourth new face confirmed for next season following the announcement earlier this year of Fiji centre Josh Matavesi from Worcester, Welsh international full-back Dan Evans and his Dragons team-mate, hooker Sam Parry.

 

“Rynier is an exciting addition to our squad and something of a coup for the Ospreys” said Andy Lloyd, Rugby Operations Manager at the Ospreys. 

 

“He is highly respected in his home country and comes with a strong reputation as a traditional second-row who tackles well, hits rucks, and has the all-round physical edge that you expect from a South African in that position.

 

"It’s a really positive signing for us.

 

“As well as being impressed by what we’ve seen of him, we spoke to a lot of people whose opinion we value about his character, on and off the field, and what he will bring to our environment. 

 

"He’s a big man who thrives on the unglamorous side of the game and will do the work that doesn’t get seen, allowing our back row boys and the backs to express themselves.

 

“He’s a young man who has chosen to come here for the challenge instead of staying in South Africa where our feedback tells us he is extremely highly regarded as a potential future Springbok. 

 

"That kind of attitude is exactly what we want in an Osprey."