Irish province Munster has declined to confirm or deny reports that they have signed the Free State Cheetahs' Springbok prop Wian du Preez on a short-term contract.

Reports in the South African media stated that Du Preez, an uncapped Bok tourist in 2007, has been snapped up by the Irish giants because of a front row injury crisis at the Magners League champions.

However, enquiries from us on Friday were met with a terse "no comment" from their Thomond Park headquarters.

According to the Afrikaans daily Volksblad Du Preez had signed with the 2008 Heineken Cup champions earlier this week.

However, he will return to Bloemfontein in January to play for the Cheetahs in next year's Super 14.

He will join up with fellow Bok Jean de Villiers when he plays in a number of Heineken Cup and Magners League games in the next few months.

Du Preez will join the ever-growing list of Bok props who are currently plying their trade abroad - CJ van der Linde (at Leinster), BJ Botha (Ulster), Brian Mujati )(Northampton Saints) and Daan Human (Toulouse).

Another South African-born prop, the former Stormers front row forward Pat Barnard, has joined French club Brive from Wasps. He was, at one stage, a member of the Elite Player Squad in England and qualifies to play for them.