Pierre Schoeman targets ten more years and citizenship as he commits future to Edinburgh Rugby

Pierre Schoeman has signed a new long-term deal with Edinburgh Rugby and believes he can play on for another ten years.

The popular South African-born prop has put down roots in the capital and says he wants to repay the faith shown in him by the club.

Edinburgh coach Mike Blair has hailed Schoeman as one of the “world’s premier looseheads”, and the player has ambitions to mix it with the very best in the game.

The 28-year-old made his Scotland debut against Tonga in the autumn after fulfilling the three-year residency requirement and then played a key role in the Six Nations.

He said the compliment from his coach was flattering but knows he has to keep delivering for his club.

“Coming from Mike it’s a massive confidence booster but like Spiderman’s father said, it’s a great responsibility as well!” said Schoeman.

“I have ambitions to be one of the best looseheads in the world. I do follow the likes of Ellis Genge, Andrew Porter, Steven Kitshoff, Ox Nche – all the top looseheads. You want to be up with the best so every day you come in and you work hard but sometimes it’s mentality as well. It’s about being switched on.”

Edinburgh have not revealed the length of his contract but it is believed to be for at least three years. Schoeman and his wife Charissa came to Scotland in 2018 and have now bought a house in Edinburgh. They intend to apply for citizenship within the next couple of years.

The player was only 23 when he initially agreed to sign for Edinburgh but he insists he was always in it for the long haul. At the time of his joining, World Rugby had agreed to extend the residency requirement to play international rugby from three years to five. But the governing body took the decision to delay the change due to the