Former Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar is set to feature in the new United Rugby Championship, after agreeing a short-term move to the Cell C Sharks.
The 37-year-old, along with team-mate Tian Meyer, will temporarily switch to the Sharks from the Cheetahs, in what's being described as a "cooperation agreement" between the two sides.
Pienaar started his professional career with the Sharks in 2004, helping them to a Super Rugby final in 2007, before joining Ulster in 2010 where he became a cult hero at Kingspan Stadium.
He played 141 times for the northern province across seven years, before his controversial departure in 2017.
Both Ulster and Pienaar were keen to agree a new deal at the time, but were unable to do so due to the IRFU's policy on non-Irish qualified players.
UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
His return to the Sharks for the URC comes with the Durban franchise in desperate need for cover at scrum-half, with Grant Williams and Sanele Nohamba both currently in Australia with the South Africa national side, and Jaden Hendrikse injured with a fractured leg.
He could make his second debut for the Sharks in their URC opener against Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday 25 September, with a statement from the club saying he will return to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein later in the season.
"With Springbok selection and injuries ruling out three of the Sharks scrum-halves, Pienaar will be involved for a longer period in the competition and his invaluable experience and knowledge of the Irish playing conditions, will be hugely beneficial and a great boost to the Sharks prospects in Europe," the Sharks said.
"Pienaar says he is looking forward to a final tour of Ireland, but Bloemfontein and the Toyota Cheetahs will remain his home. This is where he wants to wind up his career over the next two seasons."
