Western Province coach Gary Gold believes Boer can add "unbelievable" value to the side, but must consider what role Boer can play at in the team with several promising loose forwards coming through the ranks at the present time.

"The question one must ask is whether you will delay the development of young players if you contract Jake," Gold told Die Burger newspaper.

"But he can play the game. We have a lack of strong ball carriers among the blind-side flankers and Jake is that sort of player.

"He is equally effective on the open side and dominates in the Guinness Premiership. He reminds me of England flanker Richard Hill."

Boer, 31, said this week that it would be a dream to finish his career with Western Province.

"I am from Cape Town and would like to continue playing for another year to 18 months," he said. "My body feels as good as it did when I was 21. I looked after myself well over the years."

Rob Wagner, managing director of WP Rugby (Pty) Ltd, said Boer was being considered. "Jake is a former WP boy. His agent made a proposal to us and we will make a decision within the next two weeks."

Boer made 154 appearances at Gloucester and London Irish in the Premiership scoring 18 tries.

"Gloucester has been my home for the last seven years so the decision was very, very difficult," Boer told the Gloucester website.

"I am sure it will feel a bit strange in 10 or 12 weeks time when I move on but I am setting myself up for the next stage in my life.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to have played at such a great club and I would like to think that people will remember me as someone who was able to contribute in anyway to a great club."

"There were times when I thought I would be in England forever but now the time is right for me to go home. I was in discussions with (Gloucester coach Dean Ryan)

about another year but after this time my family has to come first and that is what I have done."

Boer lead Gloucester to the Powergen cup in 2002-03 and also to the top of the league, but they lost in the first ever play-off final to Wasps.