Springbok and Sharks captain John Smit is joining English Premiership champions Saracens, according to his latest tweet on Wednesday.

"It's official, I proudly announce today that I'll be joining @saracens once this season is over for 2 seasons & look forward to a new chapter," said the tweet.

Smit was understood to have signed an 18-month deal in May but it was only made official on Wednesday.

He will join Saracens in November after the World Cup in New Zealand, where he will be hoping to lift the Webb Ellis trophy for a second, successive time before retiring from the international stage.

The 33-year-old guided South Africa to their 2007 World Cup final triumph in France.

Saracens is part-owned by South African businessman Johann Rupert.

They signed Smit after their hopes of signing Australia hooker Huia Edmonds ended when the Brumbies player suffered a shoulder injury.

Smit, who can play prop as well as hooker, has captained the Springboks in 76 of his 102 caps, which is a world record.

Smit, in a statement released by Saracens, said he was "delighted" to have signed for a club widely renowned for the ferocious work ethic and spirit on the field and for the unique way it treats people off the field.

"It is becoming a very special rugby club, combining a cast-iron commitment to develop young English players with a clear South African flavour," Smit said.

"I'm looking forward to rejoining former teammates like Deon Carstens and Brad Barritt, and also to working with players like Jamie George, last year's England Under-20 hooker."

Mark McCall, Director of Rugby as Saracens, said they are "absolutely thrilled" to have signed one of the most prominent and admired players in world rugby.

"John is an outstanding leader and hooker, and I am certain he, Roxy and their children will all thrive in our environment," McCall said.

In an interview with the Telegraph, Smit, who has captained the Springboks in 76 of his 102 caps, a world record, also confirmed that he is to retire from the international stage at the end of the World Cup to allow him to maximise his impact in the Premiership.

"I am hoping to make it to the World Cup and have a pretty good shout there and that will be me," said Smit, who missed South Africa's tour of the UK and Ireland last November after undergoing surgery to a neck injury.

"I have had 11 years with the Boks so I think I have had my fair share and that will allow me to concentrate fully with Saracens, when I link up with them two weeks after my last game [for South Africa], which will hopefully be early part of November.

"My intention is to go Saracens and make a big impact. My body is strong and that is why I have signed for another two seasons. I have been lucky that my body has held up pretty well and I do feel I can make a difference and fulfil my role within a team.

"Saracens won the Premiership in dramatic style this season having come close last season and that doesn't happen by accident. There have a culture there that is working for them and I believe to defend the Premiership is a sustainable goal. My job is to fit in as fast as possible, earn the respect of the players and immerse myself in the culture."

Additional reporting by SAPA