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Ospreys sign Bulls centre

2011-12-08 11:01:36

The Ospreys have signed South African centre Stefan Watermeyer from the Bulls on a deal until the end of the season

Stefan Watermeyer: Could become eligible to play for Wales

Watermeyer has arrived in Swansea and has an option to extend his contract.

The 23-year-old has represented South Africa’s U20 side but because he is uncapped at senior level will be registered as a ‘time-serving’ player so he could become eligible to play for Wales.

Watermeyer’s main goal though, is to make a positive impression at his new club.

“I’m very excited to join the Ospreys. It’s been a while since we first spoke about coming over back in October, there were regulations to go through, but now I’m here I just want to get on the pitch again,” he told the Ospreys’ official website.

“It’s a big move for me, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, go and play overseas. It’s going to be a great experience for me, something of the unknown for me, but that’s what I like.

“It’s a personal challenge for me, taking me out of my comfort zone. I’m excited and looking forward to showing what I can do here.

“I know that Stefan Terblanche was at the Ospreys before, I don’t think I’ll be filling his shoes, I just hope that they speak as high of me when I leave as they do of him. He had a very successful time with the team and hopefully I can as well.

“There’s a lot of good players here, with international exposure, who I’m looking forward to training with and trying to learn from, to understand the set-up.

“I’m here initially until the end of the season but I want to do enough to show the coaches that I can be an Ospreys player for a lot longer,” added Watermeyer.

Ospreys director of coaching Scott Johnson believes by recruiting Watermeyer Wales as a whole can benefit in the long run.

“Just as we develop local players, we’ve got a proven track record of identifying non-Welsh players and through our sound development principles are able to develop them so they reach their full potential, people like Tommy Bowe and Nikki Walker, as well as someone like Filo [Tiatia] who we were able to reinvigorate and give a new lease of life to,” he expained.

“The difference with Stefan is he could become Welsh qualified meaning the whole country will benefit.”