Cape Town - Cheetahs flyhalf Sias Ebersohn has quit the Cheetahs and signed a two-year contract with the Western Force.

According to the RuggaWorld website, the agreement is now before the Australian Rugby Union as they need to approve any foreign developing player contracts under the contracting guidelines.

Twitter reports on Tuesday suggest that Cheetahs CEO Harold Verster and coach Drotské were shocked at the news, having been unaware negotiations with the Australian franchise were taking place.

Ebersohn has filled in at flyhalf for the Cheetahs this Vodacom Super Rugby season following the shoulder injury to regular No 10 Johan Goosen.

The Cheetahs have already lost the services of locks Izak van der Merwe and George Earle to Edinburgh and Llanelli respectively, while prop WP Nel (also Edinburgh) and loose forward Ashley Johnson (London Wasps) will also leave the franchise after this year's Super Rugby tournament.

The Force previously had former Lions and Springbok pivot Andre Pretorius on their books.