Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann is keen to recruit the Springbok, who played a major role in his Lions team where he made him club captain.
Jaco Kriel, who has also been attracting the interest of Wasps, has been a target for Ackermann ever since he arrived at Kingsholm.
The flanker is out of contract at the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season and has agreed to play for Japanese side Kubota Spears for their 2017/18 season.
He’s been identified as a possible replacement for Ross Moriarty, who should this week see his move to Pro14 side Dragons confirmed this week.
The Cherry and Whites have hinted that they already have his replacement signed up, which means the deal could potentially already be done.