Mallinder has bolstered his squad with two South Africans © Getty Images

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Teams England | Northampton | South Africa

Northampton Saints today announced the signing of two South African forwards - Juandre Kruger and Regardt Dreyer.

Kruger, a 23-year-old 6ft 6in forward, joins the Saints from the Blue Bulls where he was regarded as one of South Africa's most promising prospects up front and has impressed many watchers with his versatility at lock and in the back row this season.

He has regularly played alongside, and been preferred to, Springbok internationals Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha in the Bulls team in 2008.

Kruger spent his formative years at Western Province and at Stellenbosch University - well known as a producer of fine South African players - and studied for a degree in Management Accounting. He worked his way through the Western Province age groups before making his Currie Cup debut in 2007.

He has been a Currie Cup regular for the Bulls during his first season at Loftus Versfeld, and was part of the 2008 preliminary Blue Bulls Super 14 squad.

Dreyer has been a familiar face in the Currie Cup for the past two years. A 25-year-old loosehead prop, the 6ft 3in Dreyer plays for Griquas. Born in Johannesburg, he played for South Africa's Under 19 team and spent four seasons at the Leopards before moving to the Kimberley-based Griquas. Dreyer was also selected in the Cheetahs 2008 Super 14 squad.

"The Currie Cup is an excellent proving ground for forwards," said Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder. "It is a tough competition in which Juandre and Regardt have shown themselves to be two promising young players They will add to our strength in depth in two crucial positions, something we feel is necessary as we go through our Guinness Premiership season. I'm looking forward to welcoming Juandre and Regardt to Franklin's Gardens in the next few weeks."

Kruger and Dreyer will arrive at Franklin's Gardens at the end of their Currie Cup commitments. Kruger has helped the Bulls into the play-offs while Dreyer's Griquas team exited the competition at the end of the regular season last weekend.

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