The Rugby Paper has reported this morning that Gloucester head coach Johan Ackerman has seen off the challenge from Wasps to secure his main transfer target.
Ackerman has had his eye on Springbok flanker Jaco Kriel since he arrived at Kingsholm in the summer.
Kriel was Ackermann’s captain at the Lions and was an instrumental part of that side reaching last season’s Super Rugby final.
The back-rower, who is out of contract at the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season, will join Japanese side Kubota Spears for their 2017/18 campaign.
However, sources have revealed to The Rugby Paper that Kriel has already put pen to paper on a three-year deal to join the Cherry and whites after his stint in Japan.