"The signing of Nic increases my options in the second row," Sale head coach Mike Brewer said. "He has been training with us for a few weeks and has done very well. He is a very good lineout player in both attack and defence and is also a very busy player in the loose."

"I regard this role as the pinnacle for any professional involved in South African sport. It has major challenges but also many stimulating opportunities," Roux said after beating unveiled as the preferred candidate of an independent interview panel at an SARU General Council meeting in Cape Town on Friday.

SARU president Oregan Hoskins added: "Jurie has a wealth of experience in rugby as well as proven business acumen and we're looking forward to his taking operational leadership of the organisation and completing the process of restructuring following the dissolving of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd into SARU."

Both players have been ruled out of Aironi's entire pre-season programme, making them major doubts for the Magners League meeting with Munster at Musgrave Park on the first weekend in September.

"When the notion of buying Nottingham Rugby was first suggested to me I was immediately interested because I can see the massive potential of the club, especially when coupled with Notts County Football Club," Trew said.

"With both teams playing at Meadow Lane, it has always made sense for us to work as closely as possible and I see purchasing the rugby club as the natural progression of this partnership.

"The Notts County Board and I have been impressed by the professionalism and passion that everyone at Nottingham Rugby has shown for their club during our short tenure, it has been a real pleasure working with them.

"My aim is to embrace fans of both clubs and to encourage support across both sports, as we look to build a successful partnership that will be the pride of Nottingham."