Newcastle Falcons have bolstered their forward pack with the signing of Stormers and Western Province lock Adriaan Fondse.

The 28-year-old South African, who previously played for the Bulls and has more than 30 Super Rugby appearances for the Stormers, is excited at the prospect of starting a new chapter in his career in the Premiership.

Speaking from his home in South Africa, Fondse said: “I am really looking forward to the challenge of playing for the Falcons.

“The Falcons are an ambitious club that wants to go places and I am really pleased to have the opportunity to move to Newcastle.I definitely want to be involved in something big at the club.”

Fondse joins fellow countryman Greg Goosen, Ashley Wells and Corne Uys at Kingston Park as the influx of South Africans continues on Tyneside.

The latter of those names Uys made the switch from the Cheetahs last month and has experience of playing with Fondse during his time at Western Province in the 2008/09 season.

“Adriaan is a big physical man and he is a great signing for the club,” said Uys who has hit the ground running at centre.

“He is a good ball carrier who works really hard for the team and as a person he is a nice guy – you could say he is a gentle giant,” he added.

With the former South Africa Under-21 set to arrive in the country on Monday evening Uys admits he is looking forward to showing the tall hit-man the ropes in Newcastle.

Uys said: “It will make a nice change to be able to show a fellow South African around the city. I have been here just over a month now and I am gradually settling in to life in the North East.”

Falcons head coach Alan Tait is delighted with the capture of Fondse describing him as a “tremendous athlete.”

“He is a great player who is really well respected in South Africa and we’ve sealed another top notch second row – He is a tremendous athlete,” said Tait.

“It now gives us more options in there and it will obviously increase competition. I’m sure the boys will be happy when they find out that he is joining the club,” added the Scot.

Acknowledging the line-out as an area for improvement, Tait believes the arrival of Fondse will benefit the back division.

He said: “He takes the ball clean from line-outs and in that area he is spot on. We have to get our line-out right so that the backs can operate with quick clean ball.

“We have an owner who is desperate for this club to improve and desperate for the North East people to come back and watch this club.

“One of the ways we can do that is by bringing in top quality players and he certainly enhances the squad,” he explained.