Amongst a group comprising mainly locally born players, possibly the furthest journey to work amongst the Falcons Senior Academy squad is Sebastian Ferreira.

After travelling over 8,600 miles from his home in the Pinelands area of Cape Town for a trial at the end of last year the Lock was offered a full-time contract with the club at the end of last season.

“Back home in South Africa I’ve always had a strong following for Premiership and European rugby and was thinking that I needed a new experience, so when the trial and then the contract offer came up I accepted.”

At just 22 the journey to the other side of the world may have seemed a big one but it’s one Ferreira has taken to well.

“It’s the first time I’ve moved out of the house properly and especially to a different city and a different country, but I’m looking after myself well!”

Although settling well in Newcastle, particularly since the arrival of family friend Mouritz Botha, there is one part of North East life Ferreira has found less welcoming.

“I’ve struggled to adapt to the weather – I’m not made for the cold!

“I’m dreading winter, although I’ll be a bit more prepared than I was last year for my trial. I was in short sleeves and shirts when I came over in November time, but this year I’ve got thermals and jackets!

“Thank goodness it didn’t snow when I arrived last year, I think I would’ve gone home!”

Despite growing up thousands of miles from Newcastle, Ferreira was well aware of the Falcons when his trial opportunity came thanks to the club’s long-held links with South Africa.

“I’ve followed the Falcons for a long time because they’ve had a strong South African influence and a lot of players. Carlo Del Fava was born in South Africa and still has strong ties there, Marius Hurter is a name we know and Gcobani Bobo played here a few times too.

“I’ve only heard good things about the club and had heard Newcastle is a good city to live in. So far I’ve only experienced nice places too.”

And having followed the Falcons for some time, the young Lock is familiar with the Falcons’ ambitious plans for the coming season and beyond.

“Obviously we want to fight for a top six finish so hopefully I can have some input in that, maybe not on the field but certainly off the field.

“Everyone wants to get game time for the first team but you’ve got to earn your spot. I’ll try to keep putting in good performances wherever I play, hopefully that gets noticed at the top and I’ll hopefully keep improving and getting experience.”

Before arriving in England Ferreira had previous played with home town side Western Province, a team where he had come up through the age grades.

“I started training full-time straight out of school, trying to balance that with some part-time studying, but this is probably the most professional set up that I have been involved with.”

That commitment to his studies is something the would-be Lawyer will continue during his time with the Falcons, he explains:

“I’m still studying and trying to finish my Law degree with University of South Africa. When I was offered the contract with Western Province my parents gave me the option to say yes or no but they said if I do say yes I need to study and get something behind my name.

“It’s tough, I do everything on line but thankfully they have a London-based exam centre too so I’ll be running to exams next month.”

With Ferreira’s national team preparing to take to the field in his new home town later today, will he be watching the game in person?

“I have tickets for the game but unfortunately I won’t be going.. I’m playing for Darlington Mowden Park.”

But that doesn’t mean the Springboks fan hasn’t been tracking his team’s progress in the competition so far.

“Obviously the first game was a shock to everyone with Japan beating us but I think it’s a learning curve. You don’t get minnows in world rugby anymore so I think obviously you learn from that, take a step back and then we came back nicely against Samoa.

“If we can just keep that momentum going I think that definitely Damian [de Allende] made a difference in midfield, he’s a very good player – I rate him very well – I think if we just stick to our guns and make sure we execute that problem.

“I think if we put that Japan game behind us and keep going then we can do it. We’ve got Scotland on the weekend any we need a bonus point win to make sure that we finish top. If we do finish top then I think it’s a quarter final with New Zealand which will be a good game for us, but we have to get there first so I think this weekend will be important for us.”

Coming from a rugby-focussed nation whose eyes are currently fixed on the UK, Ferreira’s new location has attracted a great deal of interest from back home.

“Everyone is asking me my opinion of the World Cup because I’m over here but I don’t really get that much time to watch it. The games I have seen I’ve enjoyed, there’s a lot of attacking rugby being played at the moment – you’re not seeing these closed season last minute drop goals or anything it’s more attacking mentality rugby.

“Back home rugby’s all over the place and in your face every weekend so I think it’s very different to being separate to football over here.”