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Newcastle sign Mark Wilson's replacement - 6'4, 110kg Philip Van der Walt

By Online Editors
Philip Van der Walt

Newcastle Falcons have confirmed the signing of back-rower Philip van der Walt on a three-year deal from South African Super Rugby side, the Sharks.

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The 6 foot 4 forward turned 30 last weekend, and will arrive on Tyneside in the coming weeks upon receipt of his visa.

Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Philip’s signing is great news for the club because he brings us experience, leadership and a huge amount of ability in a key area of the team.

“He is renowned as a ball player at No 8 but relishes the physical aspects of the game, and he will also give us another top line-out option as well as being able to play in the second row.”

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Van der Walt played his first provincial rugby as a teenager with South Africa’s Eastern Province, going on to enjoy a successful six-season spell with Free State Cheetahs, also playing Super Rugby for the Cheetahs.

Spending a year in France with Biarritz, Van der Walt joined Natal Sharks the following season, captaining the side and going on to play Super Rugby for the Sharks.

Playing for Japanese club Canon Eagles prior to rejoining the Sharks for this year’s Super Rugby campaign, Van der Walt spoke of his enthusiasm at becoming a Newcastle Falcons player.

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He said: “I am very excited to join the Falcons.

“I am looking forward to meeting the team, learning from their experience and contributing as best as I can.

“It is a whole new experience for my family and I. We have never been to the UK and we are looking forward to experiencing Newcastle, its people and the change in environment.”

Van der Walt forms part of a summer influx which also includes USA lock Greg Peterson (Bordeaux-Begles), Tonga wing Cooper Vuna (Bath), lock Darren Barry (Worcester), prop Mark Tampin (Ealing), lock Sebastian de Chaves (London Irish), lock Toby Salmon (Exeter) and centre Gareth Owen (Leicester).

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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