Alastair Hargreaves has joined Sarries © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Alistair Hargreaves

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Sale Sharks | Saracens | South Africa

Saracens have announced the capture of Sharks lock Alastair Hargreaves ahead of next season.

With Mouritz Botha in the England frame and set to miss parts of next season due to international duty, Sarries have moved to strengthen their second-row resources with the four-cap Springbok.

Hargreaves will vie with the likes of Steve Borthwick and George Kruis in the Premiership champions' second-row department and he is relishing the chance to make the switch from Super Rugby to the Aviva Premiership.

"Everybody in South African rugby knows there is something special happening at Saracens, and I can't wait to get stuck in and make a contribution to the continuing development of the club," Hargreaves said. "This is a fantastic opportunity for me at a crucial stage of my rugby career."

And Sarries director of rugby Mark McCall is looking forward to welcoming Hargreaves. He said: "Alistair has a fantastic pedigree in SA Rugby, and we are confident he will flourish in our environment."