The Neath-Swansea Ospreys have signed former Springbok JJ Engelbrecht for the remainder of the season.
Subject to a work permit, Engelbrecht will arrive at the Liberty Stadium this month on a contract that runs until the end of the current campaign, with the Ospreys' next fixture seeing them come up against Clermont Auvergne in the Champions Cup this Friday.
Engelbrecht is currently playing for Toyota Industries Shuttles in Japan, but will now head to Wales rather than back to the Bulls.
'For the Ospreys to secure such a quality player is a major coup and we are looking forward to welcoming him to the region,' Osprey's rugby general manager Andrew Millward said. 'Clearly, with the enforced retirement of Andrew Bishop and the long-term injury to Ashley Beck, we’ve found our midfield resources stretched at times this season. JJ is a much needed, quality addition to the squad, who not only brings experience at the highest end of the game, but also a real dynamism in the wider channels.'
Bulls high performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg said they had agreed to to release Engelbrecht based on the midfield depth they had at their disposal.
'We decided to release JJ as we have good depth in the outside backs. We want to thank him for his contributions on and off the field over the last couple of seasons. He will be a massive asset to Ospreys.'
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
