London Irish today announced the signing of South African international forward Rassie Erasmus.
Flanker Erasmus, capped 36 times by the Springboks and who made his Test debut against the Lions in 1997, will join the club on July 1st for pre-season training after agreeing a two-year contract.
"Rassie is a genuine world-class player, who is respected both on and off the pitch by his peers," said London Irish rugby director Conor O'Shea.
"He is in the prime of his career, and we know that he will make a major contribution to the club in the short term and into the future."
Erasmus will link up with another fellow Springbok Brendan Venter at the Madejski Stadium, and could well have a Heineken Cup campaign to look forward to, given that the Exiles have reached this season's Parker Pen European Shield semi-finals and are well-placed in the Zurich Premiership.
PA