Saracens Chief Executive Edward Griffiths said the Premiership needs the star qualities of Springbok captain John Smit, but that does no mean fellow Bok hooker Schalk Brits will leave the club.

Smit confirmed on Wednesday that he would be joining the English Premiership champions, Saracens, after the 2011 World Cup later this year.

"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," he said on social networking website, Twitter.

That raised the question of what would happen to Sarries' other Bok hooker, Brits - the Man of the Match in Saracens' Premiership Final triumph over Leicester.

However, the Saracens Chief Executive, Griffiths, told BBC Three Counties Radio that there was no chance of Brits moving on.

"We have signed one of the most respected and admired players in international rugby," said Griffiths.

"It is great news for Saracens and also great news for the Premiership.

"The Premiership needs star quality and John Smit certainly provides that. He is an outstanding rugby player, also an outstanding person and a leader.

"He is going to help build our environment. The strength of Saracens at the moment is very much in the environment and in the squad, and not in any individuals."

Asked about the South African connection at the club - with Saracens part-owned by South African businessman Johann Rupert and fielding a number of SA players - Griffiths said: "There is obviously a clear recognition and understanding amongst South Africans living in England, but also in South African rugby, that Saracens is an English club with a strong South African flavour.

"It is, in a sense, to be expected that South Africans looking to play in Europe would see Saracens as a natural home.

"There is a connection there and if you like John has followed that route and as I said, we are delighted to have signed a player of such proven quality."

Asked about all-action hooker Brits, Griffiths was clear that he would stay, despite having loaned him to the Stormers for the Super Rugby play-offs recently.

"We are a club with aspirations of competing in the Premiership and the European Cup and it is clear that in order to compete in both competitions you need a squad, not just a team.

"A squad means players who can step in and maintain very high standards," added the Sarries boss.

"We operate a rotation system at Saracens anyway and we are absolutely clear and confident that we have space and can accommodate two world-class players in most of the teams... certainly at hooker.

"There is no question of Schalk Brits moving on."

Griffiths said Smit would arrive at the end of October or beginning of November.

He added: "The kind of person, the kind of leader he is we are absolutely certain he will fit our environment extremely well."