Cape Town - Springbok prop Deon Carstens could play for the Stormers in next year's Super Rugby tournament.

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Various sources have confirmed to Die Burger newspaper that Carstens - who currently plays for Saracens in England - will soon be employed by the Western Province Rugby Union. An announcement regarding the matter is expected to be made shortly.

WP's director of coaching Rassie Erasmus told Die Burger on Tuesday that he's happy with their reserves at prop, especially youngsters like Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe, but didn't exclude the possibility of adding another front ranker.

The Stormers look likely to be without the services of JC Kritzinger - who badly injured his knee - until late next year. They have also lost CJ van der Linde to the Lions, which means the Capetonians could go into Super Rugby without a prop able play loosehead and tighthead.

However, Carstens's arrival would remove that problem as he is capable of packing down at both sides of the scrum. The former Shark made his Bok debut in 2002 as a tighthead but has played at loosehead successfully in the past. He played in the No 1 jersey for Saracens in the English Premiership on Sunday.

Carstens played nine Tests for the Boks and will add valuable experience and depth to the Stormers' front row. His mentorship could mean a lot for Kitshoff and Malherbe and together with incumbent props, Brok Harris and Wicus Blaauw, the Stormers will feel much more comfortable going into the Super Rugby tournament.