NEWCASTLE FALCONS have pulled off a notable transfer coup by completing the signing of England international Mouritz Botha from Super 15 side the Sharks.

Botha, a 33-year-old lock forward, will join his new team-mates at Kingston Park this weekend, with Falcons having beaten off competition from a number of quarters to secure his signature.

An imposing figure, who stands at 6ft 6in tall and weighs in at close to 18st, Botha is renowned for his quality in the line-out as well as his ability at close quarters in the pack.

He began his club career with Bedford Blues, and was a key member of Saracens’ much-lauded group of forwards for five years between 2009-14 before leaving England to join the South Africa-based Sharks.

He boasts ten senior international caps with England, and was an ever-present during the 2012 Six Nations Championship. He has subsequently fallen out of the international picture, however, and will not be involved in Stuart Lancaster’s squad for the forthcoming World Cup.

“I’m very pleased to have been able to secure Mouritz’s services,” said Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards. “He is a proven talent at the highest levels of the game and will add another dimension to our second-row options.

“He has a vast array of experience in two of rugby’s best club competitions and we are looking forward to seeing him deliver the sort of performances that were his trademark during his time with Saracens.

“With three other full internationals alongside him, we have a very deep talent pool to draw on this season at lock alongside some exciting young prospects who will only benefit from having Mouritz around.”

Botha will be involved in the forthcoming Kings of the North Cup, which is effectively a pre-season tournament to plug the gap while the Aviva Premiership remains on hold because of the World Cup, and will be available for the opening game of the league season on October 16.

“I’m very excited to join the Falcons,” he said. “Newcastle are in a position to make a real impact on the Premiership this year and I am looking to help them rise up the table and push for a place in Europe.

“I want to contribute to the growing success of the club and I am also exited to learn from Dean while making the transition from player to coach eventually.”