Philip van der Walt signs three-year contract extension with Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle Falcons back-five forward Philip van der Walt becomes the latest player to sign a contract extension with the Gallagher Premiership club.

Born in South Africa, van der Walt started his career with Cheetahs and also featured for Biarritz and Sharks before heading to Kingston Park in 2019.

Since joining the Falcons, van der Walt has made 32 appearances despite missing most of the ongoing season due to a knee injury.

“I’m very grateful to have been offered the opportunity to extend my time here for another three years, and I want to thank Dean Richards for having the faith in me to make this possible," said van der Walt to the club's official website.

"It’s not something I would ever take for granted, and I have gladly taken the offer.

“My family and I are really stoked to be able to stay here. For me, I just want to help build on what we’ve done so far, and whilst I know there are a lot of improvements needed I’m just excited that I will be part of that process for the club.”

Newcastle are at 11th place in the table with six wins from 20 matches and the 32-year-old is hoping for them to have a strong finish to the season.

“We want to keep improving, and there’s still a lot to play for. We’ll never back down, and everyone has been working really hard this week to improve the way we’re playing.

“There’s always something to play for. Whether it’s only your professional pride – that’s enough.

“I think more so, when you’re involved with any competitive sport, and it’s just the nature of the people involved that they have an incredible will to win.

“I don’t think having no relegation makes any difference – at least it doesn’t to me – and every time we play, we play to win. That’s even more the case when you’ve had a tough season like we have, and there’s a massive motivation for us to finish strongly.”