WORCESTER Warriors have bolstered their back row with the signing of experienced South African flanker Dewald Potgieter.

The 28-year-old joins up with his new teammates immediately and could be in line to make his debut against Bath at Sixways on Saturday.

Potgieter won two consecutive Super Rugby titles with the Bulls in 2009 and 2010, amassing 70 appearances for the Pretoria-based side.

This success coincided with him making six international appearances for South Africa, bagging a try against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in June 2010.

Since 2013, Potgieter has been plying his trade in Japan for Yamaha Jubilo where he reached the final of the Top League competition in 2014/15 and winning the LIXIL Cup for the first time in the club’s history during the same season.

In the 2015/16 Top League campaign, the forward helped his side top their pool before they went on to claim third place in the competition after losing in the semi-finals.

However, Potgieter admitted he wanted a new challenge and said he was really excited to join the Aviva Premiership strugglers.

“Dean Ryan is building something really unique at Worcester and it’s something that really appealed to me,” he said.

“I can’t wait to get to Sixways to try and earn the respect of my teammates and hopefully I can add something to the squad.”

London Irish condemned Warriors to a 12th successive defeat on Sunday, but the Sixways side will hope Potgieter’s arrival will lift the mood in the camp.

Director of rugby Ryan added: “Dewald is a talented flanker with a wealth of experience at the top level from his time in Super Rugby.

“He has played with and against some of the best in the Southern Hemisphere and his inclusion in the back row will be of huge benefit to the pack.”

Potgieter captained the Emerging Springboks against the British & Irish Lions in 2009 – where he came up against Ireland legend and current Warriors lock Donncha O’Callaghan.

He was also part of provincial side the Blue Bulls, scoring ten tries in 65 appearances as they won the 2009 Currie Cup title and 2008 and 2010 Vodacom Cup crowns.