NEW tighthead prop Simon Kerrod is a similar player to Nick Schonert, according to Worcester Warriors director of rugby Gary Gold.

The 24-year-old arrives from Championship outfit Jersey Reds in the summer and is a player well-known to Gold with both hailing from South Africa.

The deal to bring Kerrod to Sixways was completed before Gold joined the Aviva Premiership strugglers earlier this month.

But Gold says Warriors have recruited a promising player who has “held his own” at Super Rugby level.

“He was at the (Southern) Kings when I was at the Sharks and he’s a Durban boy,” said Gold.

“He’s a good, young, up-and-coming prospect and quite exciting.

“He still young as tightheads go but I think he’s got huge potential and I am delighted to welcome him to the club.”

Johannesburg-born Kerrod began his career with the Blue Bulls and went on to represent the Sharks at both under 19 and under 21 levels.

Warriors’ first choice tighthead Schonert, 25, was born in Durban and also represented the Sharks at under 19 and under 21s levels before joining Cheetahs.

Gold said: “He’s very much like Nick (Schonert) in that he’s a strong scrummaging tighthead.

“I’ve been impressed with his work-rate for a big guy and he’s held his own at Super Rugby level.

“There will be areas which will be exciting for him to develop but I am really hoping he can come here and stabilise and strengthen the Worcester scrum.”

English-qualified Kerrod moved to Jersey at the start of 2016 and has made 28 appearances for the Islanders.

Gold said: “The guys (at Warriors) had recruited him and they had been speaking to Simon for a while now.

“He’s played Sharks age grade rugby at under 19s and under 21s and I know his schooling. He got drafted into Super Rugby with the Kings and he would have had some tough opponents there.”