WORCESTER Warriors are bidding to bring forward their capture of a new hooker in time for the Zurich Premiership kick-off.

Talks between the Sixways club and South African hooker Andr van Niekerk are at "an advanced stage" and the National One champions are hoping to seal the deal before their opening pre-season date with Cardiff Blues on August 13, well ahead of their first Premiership clash with Newcastle on September 5.

Worcester were not expecting to see the 27-year-old Lions hooker until October but, after the remaining months of van Niekerk's deal were paid up, head coach Andy Keast admitted that the Warriors were now closing in on the former Cats Super 12 man.

"He's exactly the player we've been looking for," said Keast. "Nothing's signed yet but we hope to seal the deal soon.

"Andr is a big hooker, a scrummaging hooker and he's different to what we have now with Ben Daly and Chris Hall.

"We've known he's been interested in a move overseas for a while but we haven't rushed things and we haven't panicked into bringing somebody else in who would not have fitted the bill as well.

"He's been playing regularly for the Lions but he just feels he wants to experience something new," said Keast.

The 17-and-a-half stone Zimbabwean-born player, who won a South African 'A' team call-up in 2001, will be the final piece in Worcester's Premiership jigsaw. If agreements over a one-year deal can be finalised this week, he will be paraded in front of the media next Thursday.

"He's a very big man, a typical South African hooker you might say," added Keast.

"Certainly, he will add strength to the pack. Everybody is well aware that the scrum will be a massive contest in the Premiership next season.

"He's an experienced player who is used to the big occasion and playing in front of big crowds.

"That's obviously vital when you look at a hooker while his size gives us another option to say Daly and Hall who are both dynamic around the park."

"I'm sad to leave, but the offer from Worcester is too good," said van Niekerk. "It's a contract for a year, with an option to extend for another year."