Scarlets add Springbok No.8 Cassiem to their hit-list

THE Scarlets have targeted the signing of Springboks No.8 Uzair Cassiem from the Cheetahs.

Cassiem, 28, has won eight South Africa caps, the last against Wales last November.

He was on the verge of signing for French giants Toulon, but the West Walians have moved quickly after the move fell through.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac has previously stated his desire to sign a destructive ball-carrying No 8 and Cassiem fits the bill.

Pivac aims to build a squad strong enough to compete in the PRO14 during the international window. The Champions Cup quarter finalists have provided 12 players to Wales’ current Six Nations campaign.

Cassiem will become the second non-Welsh qualified player to join the Scarlets in the space of a month with New Zealand Maori back-five forward Blade Thomson having signed from the Hurricanes.

Pivac is also believed to have agreed a deal for Waratahs loose forward Michael Wells as he strengthens his pack with Tadhg Beirne joining Munster and Scotland’s John Barclay off to Edinburgh.

Cassiem began his career with the Golden Lions before playing in the Currie Cup for the Pumas and the Falcons.

At the end of 2015, he signed with Griquas, where he impressed so much that the Cheetahs bought him out of his contract there.