Ulster sign another Springbok

Ulster Rugby has announced the signing of South Africa international back-row forward Pedrie Wannenburg on a two-year deal.

Wannenburg, a 29-year-old who has played 113 Super Rugby games for the Blue Bulls and holds 20 Springbok caps, is capable of deputising in the second row.

He said: “It was not an easy decision after almost a decade with the team and the Bulls family. But it is also a good time to move on. The Heineken Cup will be a new challenge and I am looking forward to that. I have heard many good things about Ulster and I am keen to contribute to them, as I still have a lot to offer.”

Wannenburg becomes the fourth Springbok on the books of Ulster, joining fellow recent

He will join fellow Springboks BJ Botha, Johann Muller and Ruan Pienaar at Ulster next season – Pienaar put pen to paper last month while Muller’s move had been agreed in January.

Ulster Rugby’s Director of Rugby Operations David Humphreys said: “Ulster Rugby is looking forward to welcoming Pedrie, another world class South African forward, to Belfast adding the final piece to the Ulster squad for the 2010-11 season.

“A lot has been spoken about the potential of this current Ulster squad and we are committed to signing the highest quality players who, like Pedrie, through their winning mentality have the ability to improve our performances on the pitch and take Ulster Rugby back to the highest level.

“I have no doubt Pedrie will be an enormous asset to Ulster. Ulster Rugby would like to thank the Blue Bulls for affording Pedrie the opportunity to continue his rugby career with Ulster.”

The news of Wannenburg’s arrival came on the same day that Ulster revealed that former All Blacks number 8 Xavier Rush would not be linking up with the province next season.

Link: Rush in Ulster u-turn