Van der Linde will hope to add to his 69 Springboks caps in the forthcoming World Cup © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Blue Bulls edge Cheetahs

News: Springboks lose Muller for opener

Teams: Wallabies ring the changes ahead of Tri-Nations Test

News: Trio set to for Test bow

News: Brussow and Muller win fitness race

News: South Africa not rushing back Brussow

News: Van der Linde and Mostert drafted in by Boks

Players/Officials: CJ van der Linde

Tournaments/Tours: Tri Nations | Currie Cup

Teams: Golden Lions | Leinster | Lions | South Africa | Western Province

The Golden Lions have bolstered their front-row options with the signing of Springboks prop CJ van der Linde from Western Province.

The 30-year-old is on the bench for South Africa's Tri-Nations opener against Australia on Saturday and will hope to be part of Peter de Villiers' World Cup plans.

If the 69-cap Springbok misses out on the final 30-man squad then he will arrive at the Lions from the start of August hoping to play a key part in their quest for Currie Cup glory.

Van der Linde will bring a wealth of experience to the Lions front-row having previously played for the Free State Cheetahs, the Cats and Heineken Cup champions Leinster.

"CJ comes with a wealth of experience and has tremendous value to add to the Lions," Lions boss John Mitchell said. "I'm really looking forward to working with a player of CJ's calibre and experience. I've always believed in developing youngsters as part of the expansion process and exposing them to experienced mentors such as CJ."

Van der Linde's arrival at the Lions - where he will line-up alongside Springbok fly-half Butch James in next season's Super Rugby competition - has also been praised by Lions CEO Manie Reyneke who said: "It is no secret that we've been speaking to CJ for the past few weeks and we are both honoured and humbled to have a player of his calibre and vast experience joining the Lions."