Double-centurion Nel to retire

Nel, 37, became only the third player to reach 200 appearances this past Saturday when facing DHL Stormers in Cape Town, joining Chris Paterson and Allan Jacobsen in the exclusive ‘200 club’, cementing his status as an Edinburgh legend.

The fan-favourite has truly made Edinburgh home since joining from the South African franchise Cheetahs in 2012, with wife Alana and his four children settled in the Scottish capital.

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt has this evening hailed the prop’s impact on the capital club.

He said: “WP has been a tremendous servant to Edinburgh Rugby over more than a decade, he’s one of only three double centurions in the club’s 150-year history and has made 61 appearances for the Scotland national team in an incredibly tough position.

“He goes about his business with a quiet assurance but his contribution to the club and his adopted country speaks volumes and cannot be questioned.”

Everitt continued: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with WP since joining the club last summer and I know he’ll continue to give everything to the jersey – as he always does – for the remainder of the season.”

Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director Douglas Struth has tonight thanked Nel for his service to the capital club.

Struth said: “He moved here as a young man in 2012 and quickly established himself as the cornerstone of the club’s front row, making a name for himself by dismantling opposition scrums with an eye for the try line.

“Off the rugby field, he’s made Scotland his home, raising four children here in Edinburgh with his wife, Alana, all of whom are a big part of the social fabric of the club.

“He’s a been a fantastic competitor and we will be all sad to see the day he finally hangs up his boots. I’m sure everyone connected the club will want to give him the proper send-off he deserves whenever his final game comes this season and of course, what I’m sure will be an emotional farewell at our Season Awards.”