The Golden Lions are confident that Springbok prop CJ van der Linde will play for them in this year's Currie Cup competition.
Golden Lions Rugby Union President Kevin de Klerk confirmed to this website that they are in negotiations with their Western Province counterparts over the services of the 69-Test veteran.
"Nothing has been finalised yet," De Klerk said, adding: "But we are talking [to Western Province] about getting CJ [van der Linde]."
The Lions boss said they want the 30-year-old Van der Linde to join them "as soon as possible" and he is confident the details of the discussions will be resolved in good time to ensure he can feature for the Lions in this season's Currie Cup competition.
Van der Linde, who is on the bench for the Bok for their opening Tri-Nations Test against Australia on Saturday, played off the bench in all of South Africa's Tests on the year-end tour in November.
However, it appears he has fallen behind in the national pecking order, despite being able to pack down on both sides of the scrum - with the first choices being Tendai Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis, while the Bulls duo of Dean Greyling and Werner Kruger starting in Sydney on Saturday.
If, as expected, Van der Linde misses the World Cup cut, then he will be most likely released to the Lions.
De Klerk said they will have to look at "a few other players as well",as they continue to strengthen their playing roster ahead of the 2012 Super Rugby season.
By Jan de Koning
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