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Johannesburg - Big-spending French Top 14 club Toulon have signed South African World cup winner Andre Pretorius as replacement for Welsh international Gavin Henson.
According to the Rugbyweek website, Toulon needed cover in the backline as Jonny Wilkinson and recent signing Matt Giteau will not be available during the Rugby World Cup.
Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal decided not to keep Henson after the club suspended him for an altercation in a night club with his team-mates.
Pretorius has won 33 caps for the Springboks and was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2007.
The South African's career has plagued by injury which have kept him out of rugby for most of the last two years.
Pretorius joined the Force in Perth for the 2010 Super Rugby season but pulled a hamstring in the pre-season and was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
He then returned to South Africa and played Currie Cup rugby for the Sharks.
Earlier this year he re-joined the Lions but re-injured a groin strain and missed the Lions tour to Australia and New Zealand.
Pretorius is unlikely to get much game time for the Lions over the next month as they have signed another Springbok in Butch James and Elton Jantjies has been enjoying some good late form.
Toulon have also recently signed league convert Willie Mason and Springbok and Bulls lock Bakkies Botha.
The Lions play the Highlanders on Saturday (kick-off at 09:35 SA time) and have selected Jantjies at flyhalf, with James down to start at inside centre.
According to the Rugbyweek website, Toulon needed cover in the backline as Jonny Wilkinson and recent signing Matt Giteau will not be available during the Rugby World Cup.
Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal decided not to keep Henson after the club suspended him for an altercation in a night club with his team-mates.
Pretorius has won 33 caps for the Springboks and was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2007.
The South African's career has plagued by injury which have kept him out of rugby for most of the last two years.
Pretorius joined the Force in Perth for the 2010 Super Rugby season but pulled a hamstring in the pre-season and was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
He then returned to South Africa and played Currie Cup rugby for the Sharks.
Earlier this year he re-joined the Lions but re-injured a groin strain and missed the Lions tour to Australia and New Zealand.
Pretorius is unlikely to get much game time for the Lions over the next month as they have signed another Springbok in Butch James and Elton Jantjies has been enjoying some good late form.
Toulon have also recently signed league convert Willie Mason and Springbok and Bulls lock Bakkies Botha.
The Lions play the Highlanders on Saturday (kick-off at 09:35 SA time) and have selected Jantjies at flyhalf, with James down to start at inside centre.
