Springbok prop Vincent Koch is set to join up with the Bulls after returning from England in June.

Sources have confirmed that the 27-year-old has agreed to cut short his stay with Saracens and make Pretoria his home at the conclusion of the current English premiership season.

While this is sure to see a spike in Bulls jersey sales, the real winners are the Springboks. Rassie Erasmus, back in his role as SA Rugby director of rugby for less than three months, has successfully lured back a nine-Test scrum anchor to reinforce an already potent group of tightheads that includes Wilco Louw, Coenie Oosthuizen, Frans Malherbe and recently-retreaded loosehead, Thomas du Toit.

Erasmus was at Twickenham on Saturday, scouting England’s performance against Wales in preparation for a three-Test tour to South Africa by the Roses in June.

A secondary objective of the trip was to engage the large contingent of South Africa’s top flight players abroad, with Erasmus reportedly talking to Koch, Duane Vermeulen, JP Pietersen, Jan Serfontein, Frans Steyn, Bismarck du Plessis, Juan de Jongh, Willie le Roux and Faf de Klerk.

It is understood that Erasmus is eager to recall key overseas-based players who have not accrued the minimum of 30 Test caps required to be eligible for Springbok selection.