Pro12: Edinburgh sign South African centre Andries Strauss

South African centre Andries Strauss has followed Alan Solomons to Edinburgh, agreeing to join the Pro12 team after leaving Southern Kings.

The 29-year-old was made stand-in captain of the Super Rugby side under the man who is now Edinburgh coach.

Solomons said: "This is very good news for Edinburgh Rugby.

"Strauss is a very mature player with a lot of Super Rugby and Currie Cup Premier Division experience. He did a fantastic job as captain for Kings."

Edinburgh say Strauss, who will sign until the summer of 2016 should he pass a medical, will add weight to their midfield options as well as strength in depth.

"He's a big boy, is genetically strong and his conditioning is superb," said Solomons. "He's a natural athlete in that sense and will make a valuable contribution to Edinburgh Rugby, both in terms of playing and leadership.

"It's fantastic that he joins us now because he is immediately available for this season and will be totally au-fait with everything for when the new season starts, which makes a huge difference.

"We want to go into next season, particularly with a guy like that, being completely comfortable and established."

Two-time Currie Cup winner and Super Rugby semi-finalist Strauss played for South Africa in the World Sevens Series and once for the Springboks, against the Barbarians in 2010 at Twickenham.

He featured alongside Edinburgh forwards Willem Nel and Izak van der Westhuizen at Free State Cheetahs and also turned out for Natal Sharks before joining Kings.

Now he is looking forward to finding himself in opposition to his brother, Richardt, the Leinster and Ireland hooker, in the Pro12.

"I'm very excited to be here," said Strauss. "I said during the World Sevens Series that, if there was a city in the UK that I'd like to play rugby in, then it'd be Edinburgh.

"So I'm very happy to get this chance in one of the best cities in the world.

"I've spoken a lot to my brother, Richardt, about the strength of the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup and how they compare to Super Rugby, so it's a massive opportunity for me to experience a different side of the rugby world.

"Hopefully my experience in the southern hemisphere will benefit me when playing here."