SOUTH AFRICAN FORWARD Jean Deysel is to join Munster later this month on a short-term contract from the Sharks.

Subject to being granted a valid work permit, the veteran lock will link up with the southern province on a three-month loan deal to cover for injured duo Dave Foley and Jean Kleyn. Foley requires surgery on an ongoing wrist problem, while Kleyn remains out of action with a neck injury.

Deysel has been capped by South Africa on seven occasions. The 32-year-old has also made over 70 Super Rugby appearances. Ahead of the quarter-final clash with Toulouse in just over two weeks’ time, Deysel and Young Munster scrum-half Abrie Griesel have been nominated as Munster’s additional players for the knockout stages of the Champions Cup.

Meanwhile, Munster have also announced that academy products Jack O’Donoghue, Ronan O’Mahony and Alex Wootton have all penned new two-year contracts, which will keep them with the province until June 2019 at least.

“It’s great to see players who have come through our academy system commit their future to Munster,” Munster director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said today.

“Jack and Ronan are among our standout players this season, and while injury has kept Alex sidelined of late, he really impressed when opportunity presented itself earlier in the season and is an exciting prospect. It’s good to have all three on board as we continue to build our squad depth.

“On the lock situation, it’s always a challenge when we have two of our experienced players ruled out through injury, and we have a third, Mark Chisholm, only back training after a year out from the game due to concussion.

“We needed to bolster the squad in that area with the trio unavailable, especially as we enter the business end of both the Champions Cup and Guinness Pro12.

“Jean [Deysel] comes with the talent and experience to hit the ground running at this busy period. He will be a valuable addition to the squad.”