Tobias Botes

Steve Cummins

Tom Botha

South African-born Italian international Tobias Botes and Australian U20 lock Steve Cummins have joined the EP Kings until the end of the 2014.

Tighthead prop, Tom Botha, has also joined the Eastern Province team as their preparations for re-entry into Currie Cup steps up a gear.

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“We are very excited to announce these new signings, with Tom and Steve who bring some additional cover to the forward pack, while Tobie is an experienced scrumhalf with international experience,” said Crous.

Botes, 30, was born in Worcester, Western Cape and played for Griquas between 2006 and 2008, before making his Super Rugby debut for the Cheetahs in 2008.

He played three games for them before moving to Italy where he signed with Benetton Treviso.

Botes normally plays as a scrum-half but has also proven adept at fly-half.

In January 2012 he was called up to the Italian squad as cover for the 2012 Six Nations Championship and he has subsequently been selected to play for Italy 22 times.

Cummins, 22, has been described as an exciting young tight forward with great potential.

He captained the Australian Academy U19 side in 2011 and went on to represent Australia in the U20 World Championship the following year.

Botha, 23, joins the Kings after having spent two seasons in France at Montpellier.

Botha represented the Boland Cavaliers at several youth tournaments before joining the Blue Bulls in 2010 before moving to Western Province the following season.

He made his first team debut for Western Province in the 2011 Cup against the Falcons.

He played several Cup games for WP before appearing off the bench in the 2012 Currie Cup game against the Natal Sharks.

The EP Kings will play an international friendly against Wales next week Tuesday 10 June, in their first pre-season hit out.