Willem Alberts is in training with the Lions, but will need to pass a fitness test before joining the team for the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season.

According to SupaRugby, Alberts has been training with the team, but first needs to pass his medical before being offered a contract.

The Lions had already confirmed that they were in talks with the 35-year-old about a move last November.

Alberts played the last of his 43 Springbok Tests in 2016 and has been playing for French side Stade Francais since 2015 after leaving the Sharks. He made 79 appearances for the Parisians but only featured for the side nine times last year.

If he does pass his fitness test, Alberts will become the Lions’ ninth signing for the new season, with the Johannesburg franchise having also added tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis to their ranks.

Other new signings include rookie loose forward Francke Horn (Western Province), centre Dan Kriel (Stormers), utility back Duncan Matthews (Vodacom Bulls), flank Roelof Smit (Bulls), flyhalf/fullback Tiaan Swanepoel (West Harbour, Australia), wing Jamba Ulengo and scrumhalf Andre Warner (both Bulls).

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