"I enjoy working with Alan and it's good that he's staying on, I know what he expects from me."
Du Preez signed for the club during season 2013/14 from Super Rugby franchise, the Southern Kings, where he had previously worked with head coach Solomons, arriving after the 2011 Junior World Championships.
The dynamic back-rower has displayed his form as a powerful ball carrier alongside his prowess in defence since his arrival in the capital and has already earned two man of the match awards this season.
A serious lower leg injury during the sixth match of 2014/15 against Dragons was expected to end his season however he was able to make a welcome return, off the bench, against the Dragons, in the April 2015 European Cup semi final win at BT Murrayfield.
He said: "It was difficult coming back from injury but our club physios did a great job to fix me up and all's good now.
"I obviously missed taking part in the 1872 Scottish Cup win last season but the experience around the win this season is definitely a highlight of my time at the club so far.
"I'm looking forward to helping the club stay in the top group of the Guinness PRO12 and challenging for a place in the Champions Cup next season, and to testing my abilities and those of the club."
Head coach Alan Solomons said: "I am delighted that Cornell has committed to Edinburgh Rugby.
"He is a class player who has proved invaluable for us. He is also a great bloke and a good team man and I look forward to us continuing to work together."
