Springbok discard and World Cup winner BJ Botha has signed a three-year contract with Irish province Ulster, which will see the tighthead prop move to Ravenhill for the start the 2008/09 European season.

The 28-year-old South African powerhouse has established himself as an integral part of both his country and his provincial front row and Ulster Chief Executive Michael Reid thanked Botha's former team, the Sharks, for their assistance during contractual negotiations.

"We've been working alongside the Sharks for a number of months now and I would like to thank, in particular, my counter-part at the Durban-based outfit, Brian Van Zyl, for his assistance in releasing Botha early from his contract — which was not due to expire until the end of this calendar year," Reid said.

The 117kg juggernaut is highly rated by his peers as a technically sound and powerful scrummager.

Botha, who was part of South Africa's 2007 World Cup-wining squad, realised his full potential last year when he was rewarded with a well-deserved Springbok selection and three Tri-Nations caps, winning both games he started. He also played in all 13 Super 14 matches in the 2007 season, and is one cap shy of a half century in South Africa's domestic Currie Cup.

Botha said his signing for Ulster and the move to Northern Ireland is "a great opportunity for both me and my family".

"I am really looking forward to playing rugby in Europe and for a team with such a vivid following as Ulster. The move is a great opportunity to see Ireland and the United Kingdom and experience the famous Northern Ireland culture first hand and I'm sure we'll end up venturing across to mainland Europe for holidays which we are all excited about.

"Meeting new people and seeing new places is always exciting and I can't wait to join the rest of the squad and get stuck into some serious training for the new season, but at the minute the person I'm most excited about meeting is my new son who is due in November, we're very excited about the new addition to our family," continued Botha.

Botha made a brief visit to Belfast this week to complete his medical and met the squad before returning to South Africa. He and his family will move to Belfast for good in a few weeks and he was open about his first impressions of the province.

"Obviously it is good to be here and to have made the trip over for a couple of days to meet everybody. I have had a great welcome; it has been really professional in every respect.

"The players are obviously preparing for the Bath game (on Friday), but they have been really friendly towards me and professional in their approach to the game. The one main thing I will take away from this brief visit is that Ulster really is a club that knows where it is going and I am looking forward to being part of it."

Botha said he had high hopes for the season ahead.

"I want to add to the team as much as I can, obviously everything is new to me so I need to settle in and fit in with the squad. Personally I want to play the best rugby that I can and in turn that should help the team."

Botha made his first professional appearance with the Sharks in 2001 and represented South Africa at U21 level that same season.

His South African Test debut came as a replacement against New Zealand in 2006, ending his debut season with a tour of England and Ireland in November. To date, he has won 16 caps for his country, playing all four of the Springbok's pool games in the 2007 World Cup.

Botha is best known for both his single minded determination to be the best tight head prop in the world, and his exceptional scrumming abilities will be well utilised by Ulster head coach Matt Williams, who spoke about the World Cup winner signing with Ulster:

"BJ is a world class player and is one of the best tight head props in the game," Williams said.

"He was part of the South African squad that won the World Cup and is used to being part of a winning team. BJ will bring with him, the culture of excellence and winning, a mindset I hope he can pass onto our younger players.

"Over the last number of months I've spoken to him frequently and built up a good relationship, so I'm delighted that after months of careful talks and deliberations on both sides we can finally announce Brendon's signing. It's very exciting news and I believe a real positive step for Ulster Rugby, his signing with the club is a huge vote of confidence for Ulster," remarked Williams.

With new signings complete, Williams is shaping up an Ulster squad that are set on success, beginning with Friday's first pre-season friendly against Bath at Ravenhill.

365

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