Cape Town - South Africa head coach Allister Coetzee has confirmed that second-row Eben Etzebeth is set to sign a short-term deal in the Premiership.
There's been plenty of talk about a stint in England after the end-of-year Tests in a move that would leave Etzebeth with no rest before Super Rugby.
But coach Coetzee has on Monday told the press that the powerful forward is on his way to a Premiership side, as reported by SA Rugby Mag.
"I can assure you it is definitely going to happen. I'm not sure which club he will join though," said the Springbok head coach.
"Eben Etzebeth playing up here would be a great experience for him because he would be playing against top quality locks in the northern hemisphere game.
"He has played against the best in the southern hemisphere. The conditions would be different and he would learn from it."
Coetzee added: "But on the other hand it wouldn't be good for the Springboks because Eben would be missing out on a conditioning phase. He would go straight from English club rugby into Super Rugby and then June Tests next year and so on."