Italian Magners League side Benetton Treviso have captured the signature of Western Province’s experienced flyhalf Willem de Waal to add to their growing South African contingent of players.

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Treviso’s coach, former Springbok flyhalf Franco Smith, confirmed that they have contracted the 32-year-old, who will link up with Treviso as soon as his Currie Cup commitments come to an end.

“He will with us at least till the end of next season.,” Smith said.

“Willem’s ability to win games and to control games in wet and windy conditions is well known, but he also brings a bag full of experience to help growth in the flyhalf position as we look to better the quality of Italian eligible players in this role.

“Having worked with him at the Cheetahs I know he is an all round professional and he will bring a very high work ethic to further our efforts in this new competition.”

De Waal joins South Africans Cornelius Van Zyl, Benjamin De Jager and Tobias Botes on Treviso’s books.

The Emerging Springbok pivot  will be making his second trip to the northern hemisphere, after playing a season with French second division side RC Narbonne in 2007.

Western Province still have talented youngsters Lionel Cronje and Gary van Aswegen on their books, while first choice No.10 Peter Grant will return for the Super 15 following his stint in Japan with Kobe Steel.