Ulster Rugby have confirmed the high-profile signing of South African loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff on a three-year deal.
The 30-year-old Springbok will officially join the province after next year's Rugby World Cup.
Kitshoff - who was part of the South Africa team that stormed to victory at the 2019 World Cup - will join Ulster from the DHL Stormers.
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The 6ft front-rower - who has made 73 appearances for his country - has played most of his professional career in South Africa to-date, with early success coming as part of the Western Province team that won the 2012 Currie Cup.
Presently he has made the number 1 jersey at the Stormers his own as captain of the club, which comes after an overseas spell in France for Bordeaux Bégles from 2015-2017.
Ulster Head Coach Dan McFarland said: “We are excited that a player of Steven’s quality has chosen to be part of the journey we are on as a club.
"As one of the best players in his position in the game right now, he will bring a world-class edge to our front row which will benefit our squad now, and in the development of our younger players as they come through the Ulster system.
“His set piece excellence and the physical edge to his play will, together with his winning mindset, be a real asset to us when he joins us next season, and we look forward to welcoming him to the province.”
Kitshoff added: “It’s clear that Ulster is on an exciting journey, and it’s one that I want to be a part of. With some big wins recently, it’s my ambition to be part of the squad that takes that next step and secures silverware for the province.
“I’m really looking forward to making the move to Belfast next year. It’s going to be a change, but I know, from everything I’ve heard, that when I line out for the first time in front of a home crowd at Kingspan Stadium in an Ulster jersey, it’s going to be a really special moment.”
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