Glasgow Warriors have moved to replace dynamic second row Leone Nakarawa with a similar style player in Namibian international Tjiuee Uanivi.
Uanivi (25) starred in the Rugby World Cup for Namibia and has been with the South African Super Rugby franchise, the Sharks this season.
The 6ft 7in lock, athletic and fast for the second row and a good off-loader, also had a short loan spell at another SA franchise the Southern Kings and prior to that played for Brive in the French Top 14.
Like Nakarawa, Uanivi is a second row who can also play across the back-row, and is due to arrive in Glasgow next month.
Uanivi said: “I’m very pleased to have this opportunity to play with Glasgow Warriors next season.
“It’s a club with a rich history, who play exciting rugby and have had lots of recent success, and I will do all I can to help that continue.
“The new artificial pitch at Scotstoun will really suit my style of play and I can’t wait to get started with the players and coaches.
“I’d like to thank The Sharks, and Gary Gold in particular, for allowing me the chance to pursue this exciting opportunity and I wish them well in Super Rugby.”
Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend added: “We’re looking forward to Tjiuee joining us next month, ahead of the new season.
“We believe he’ll fit in well in our environment and challenge for a starting place in our forward pack.
“He has excellent athleticism and put in a number of impressive performances for Namibia at last year’s Rugby World Cup.
“We believe Tjiuee’s strengths suit the high tempo rugby we aspire to play, but he will have to work hard every day to win a starting place up against the other second rows at the club.
“We now have a really good balance within our second-row group for next season and it will be exciting to see them build partnerships and continue to improve.”
