Sarries snap up Bok lock

Springbok lock Alistair Hargreaves has signed a contract with Saracens and will join the English Premiership champions for the start of the 2012/13 season.

The 25-year-old Hargreaves came through the junior ranks at the Sharks and went on to captain the South African Under-19 team to World Cup glory in 2005 before establishing himself as a regular in the Sharks Super Rugby side.

The news will come as a blow to the Sharks who have been without his services all season due to a stress fracture of his foot.

Hargreaves becomes the latest South African talent to move across to the United Kingdom, joining Cheetahs duo WP Nel and Ashley Johnson who will start their careers with Edinburgh and London Wasps respectively.

The 2.00 metre 102 kg lock who has four Test caps to his name will join former Sharks teammates John Smit and Brad Barritt at Saracens, and said that he is looking forward to the challenge.

He commented: "Everybody in South African rugby knows there is something special happening at Saracens, and I can't wait to get stuck in and make a contribution to the continuing development of the club. This is a fantastic opportunity for me at a crucial stage of my rugby career."

Mark McCall, Saracens Director of Rugby, said: "Alistair has a fantastic pedigree in SA Rugby, and we are confident he will flourish in our environment."