Thursday 4 January 2018 16:57, UK
Aviva Premiership strugglers London Irish have signed South Africa internationals Piet van Zyl and Arno Botha.
Both players have joined the Exiles with immediate effect, making the switch from Pretoria-based Super Rugby outfit the Bulls.
Scrum-half Van Zyl has made more than 70 Super Rugby appearances, while back-row forward Botha is another vastly-experienced campaigner.
"I've heard a lot of good things about London Irish and I'm excited at the prospect of playing for the club in the Aviva Premiership," said van Zyl, who has won three caps for the Springboks.
"I wanted a fresh challenge and the opportunity to make the move to the northern hemisphere was too good to turn down."
The twice-capped Botha added: "I'm delighted to have the opportunity to join London Irish, a club that is steeped in history and tradition.
"I've always wanted to test myself in northern hemisphere rugby and I'm really looking forward to the challenge of helping the club secure its Aviva Premiership status."
Irish, who visit Leicester on Saturday, sit bottom of the Premiership, 10 points behind 11th-placed Worcester.
