Neil de Kock believes Schalk Brits is a "fantastic signing" for Saracens.

Sarries' scrum-half knows the quality of hooker Brits first hand after playing with him for the Stormers and Western Province before moving to England.

Brits, 27, agreed a deal on Wednesday to move to the Guinness Premiership club next season.

The experienced South African is excited by the Men in Black's latest signing and believes Brits will make an immediate impact in the Guinness Premiership.

De Kock said: "I played with him back in 2004/05 for the Stormers and the Western Province. It's a fantastic signing for the club and I'm excited about playing with him.

"He has extremely good feet for a hooker. I'm sure he will be a big asset for the team next season.

"He was knocking on the door for South Africa for several years and he was a very promising youngster," the number nine continued.

"Attracting someone like him sends out a message to both our supporters and the players for next year. This is a world class player.

"He's not old, he's a young player and he means business. He wants to do well and will want to make a difference for the club. It's a very exciting signing."

Wikus van Heerden has been one of most consistent performers for the Men in Black this season.

The South African flanker arrived in November and settled so quickly at the club he even earned the captaincy on several occasions. De Kock says van Heerden is the perfect example for Brits and is confident he will have a similar effect on the side.

"Wikus has been exactly the type of signing any club would want to make," De Kock added.

"I would be surprised if he wasn't named as the club's player of the year this weekend.

"He was very unlucky to get injured and so was the club because we missed him when he was out. If Schalk can be half the player Wikus has been then that will be brilliant."

Brits is the third South African player to commit to Saracens next season, following deals for forwards Frik Venter and Ethienne Reynecke, but talk of a South African invasion appears exaggerated.

There was speculation that the arrival of new chief executive Edward Griffiths and incoming director of rugby Venter, along with the overseas investors, would lead to a mass influx of players from South Africa.

But De Kock insists the new players, regardless of nationality, will all have the desire to excel at Saracens and is particularly looking forward to working with Venter next season.

The scrum-half said: "I don't know what people expected in terms of a South African takeover. But at the end of the day Saracens have always had an international flavour.

"Saracens haven't won anything for 11 years. Rest assured whoever comes in will be focused on helping this club win silverware next season.

"Brendan Venter is a class coach and he will want to sign guys who can make a difference for us. He is very passionate about his rugby and has some great ideas. His strength is his defence and his enthusiasm and passion will be great to have around the team.

"People are holding their breath to see what guys will be coming in but I'm sure next season is going to be very exciting for Saracens."