Schoeman voted January’s Scottish Building Society Player of the Month

Prop Pierre Schoeman has today been voted January’s Scottish Building Society Player of the Month after a hugely impressive start to the 2023 which saw the Scotland international put in a string of imperious performances in the capital front-row.

Schoeman was at his very best in January, helping the capital side to Heineken Champions Cup victories away to Castres Olympique and at home to Saracens, securing Edinburgh’s place in the last 16 of the European competition.

The prop was a ball-carrying machine away to Castres where his work rate and tenacious defence were a constant as Edinburgh won the physical battles at Stade Pierre-Fabre.

Schoeman was then named Star of the Match in the sensational home win against Saracens where he contributed with the go-ahead score and an outrageous, game-leading, 21 carries.

Those 21 carries were the most any front-row player had made in both the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup seasons.

Schoeman has continued that fine form on to the international stage where he started in Scotland’s impressive Guinness Six Nations victories against England and Wales.

On picking up January’s Scottish Building Society Player of the Month award, Schoeman said:

“I’m hugely grateful to the Edinburgh Rugby fans and family for voting me their Scottish Building Society Player of the Month.

“It’s a massive honour and I feel humbled that the Edinburgh fans have chosen me, especially with so many of my teammates putting in huge performances throughout January.”

Scottish Building Society has kindly donated £500 to Schoeman’s charity of choice as part of the monthly initiative, with the prop selecting Maggie’s.

Maggie’s provides free cancer support and information in centres across the UK, with Maggie’s Edinburgh based at the city’s Western General Hospital.

Schoeman continued: “I’m delighted to select Maggie’s as my chosen charity and I’m really thankful to Scottish Building Society for donating £500 on my behalf.

“They do brilliant work in supporting cancer patients and their families across Scotland. Hopefully this £500 will help contribute towards their amazing fundraising efforts.”

Head Coach Mike Blair has praised Schoeman’s contributions throughout January, calling him a ‘standout performer’ in the Edinburgh pack.

Blair said: “Pierre really took his game to another level in January. He was a standout performer in our pack, while his carrying and ability at set piece were huge strengths, providing us with serious go forward in wins against Castres and Saracens.

“It was brilliant to see Pierre take that form forward with Scotland. He’s world class at his position and a player that we love here at Edinburgh Rugby.”

Scottish Building Society, Chief Executive Officer, Paul Denton, said:

“Pierre Schoeman has had an incredible season so far, so it’s no surprise that he has been announced as Scottish Building Society’s Player of the Month for January.

“The prop showed everyone how good he can be with some outstanding performances for the national side in the Six Nations and his form for Edinburgh has been no different.

“His selection of Maggie’s as his chosen charity is great given our history in supporting their work.

“Their support specialists, psychologists and benefits advisors support both those suffering from cancer and those affected by it.”