Cape Town - Veteran prop Jannie du Plessis is in talks with the Lions ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season.
Afrikaans newspaper Rapport reported on Sunday that the 37-year-old was in discussions with the Lions about a surprise move to Johannesburg.
Du Plessis, who played 70 Tests for the Springboks between 2007 and 2015, has been on the books of French club Montpellier since 2015.
Before that, Du Plessis played 119 Super Rugby games for the Sharks between 2008 and 2015, having started his professional career at the Cheetahs in 2003.
A medical doctor by trade, Du Plessis was largely expected to retire from rugby after his stay in France but a recent resurgence in form has breathed new life into his playing career.
Meanwhile, the report added that the Lions were also in negotiations with Stormers prop Carlu Sadie about a permanent move to Johannesburg.
The 22-year-old joined the Lions on a loan deal for the 2019 Super Rugby season, but was ordered to return to play for Western Province in the Currie Cup.
The Lions open their 2020 Super Rugby campaign against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on February 1.
- Compiled by Herman Mostert
The Lions Rugby Company can confirm that they are in talks with prop Jannie du Plessis.#LionsPride pic.twitter.com/pYX0sjO8Z2
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) November 18, 2019