Rynier Bernardo to join The Ospreys in Wales

Apr 28 • General News, Vodacom Cup • 2473 Views • Comments Off on Rynier Bernardo to join The Ospreys in Wales

The EP Kings have confirmed that Rynier Bernardo will be joining the Ospreys on a three-year deal.
EP Kings CEO Charl Crous confirmed that Bernardo, 22, would be joining the Ospreys in Wales for their pre-season training from June.
Born in Pretoria, Bernardo came through the ranks at Eastern Province Kings, representing Eastern Province at various youth tournaments. In 2007, he played at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week. The following year he played at the Under-18 Academy week, resulting in his inclusion in the S.A. Schools Academy team in the same year. He also played at the 2009 Under-18 Craven Week tournament.
At 1.99m tall, Bernardo has always stood out amongst the crowd, but it was his tenacity and hard work on the field that secured him a position in the Eastern Province U19 squad for the 2010 Under-19 Currie Cup competition, as well as for Eastern Province U21 in the Under-21 competition in 2011 and 2012.
Having gone to Framesby in Port Elizabeth, Bernardo was also one of the first signings of the Kings Academy in 2011/2012.
He was included in the senior squad for the 2012 Vodacom Cup competition and made his first class debut as a third-minute substitute in the match against Border Bulldogs. His Currie Cup debut came a few months later against the SWD Eagles in the 2012 Currie Cup First Division competition. He made six appearances in total in that competition and also started both promotion/relegation games against the Free State Cheetahs.
In 2013 he graduated to Super Rugby with the Southern Kings, playing in ten matches.
“Rynier has been a great success story for Eastern Province rugby, having come through the ranks from junior level, being part of the Kings Academy and being able to play professional rugby at Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup and Super Rugby level in his home province,” said Crous.
“He has been a valuable member of our squad, and we are sad to see him go, but we are also excited for him and wish him everything of the best as he begins the next leg of his professional rugby career,” said Crous.