HE MAY be the last lock standing but Rynard Landman is making quite an impression at the start of his career with Newport Gwent Dragons.

The 28-year-old South African signed from the Cheetahs in the summer and has settled in swiftly at Rodney Parade.

Landman has started all eight games and the second half against Edinburgh at Murrayfield, when he was forced off after a blow to the head, is the only action he has missed.

That's partly down to a lengthy injury list that features his fellow second rowers Ian Gough, Cory Hill, Matthew Screech, Joe Davies and Andrew Coombs.

But it's also because Landman has hit the ground running, impressing in the loose, at the set piece and as a leader.

"Rynard has been a shining light and to back up the games has been tough for a big, heavy man and we'd like to have been able to rotate him," said head coach Kingsley Jones.

"It's impressive the way that he has fitted in; he enjoys playing, trains fantastically well and has been a real asset in terms of leadership.

"It was a big blow for us to lose him at half-time in Edinburgh and it's credit to Rynard that he has become that influential after a handful of games and only being in the country for a few months.

"He has added a lot to the set piece and to the culture here and we are lucky to have him, although hopefully we can get a few locks fit to give him a rest because you cannot keep playing at 100 per cent if you play all those games."

This week Landman will be a key part of the welcoming party for his compatriot Brok Harris, who arrives in Wales fresh from a Currie Cup triumph with Western Province.

The 29-year-old former Stormers man will join fellow tighthead props Lloyd Fairbrother, Dan Way and David Young, the latter of whom is yet to make his regional bow.

"We won't be rushing Brok into the team because the boys on the right-hand side of the scrum have been performing well," said Jones.

"He is back from (a shoulder) injury and that will probably benefit us because he didn't play a full campaign on Super Rugby and Currie Cup.

"He had a break and is fully recovered, but we'll discuss his situation with the conditioning team."