Pumas No 8 Renaldo Bothma has signed a two-year deal to play Super Rugby with the Sharks.

The abrasive loose forward, who is currently recovering from a broken cheekbone suffered while playing for the Pumas, will join the Sharks squad on Monday as they begin preparations for the 2015 Super Rugby season.

Bothma will be lost to the Pumas for the whole 2015 season due to Super Rugby and World Cup duties, although he will return to play the 2016 Currie Cup season.

'I’m very excited, as this will certainly be the highlight of my rugby career thus far. To play Super Rugby and in a World Cup, all in one season, is truly a blessing from my Heavenly Father,' Bothma said.

The Sharks will begin a rebuilding period following the departure of director of rugby Jake White, along with regular loose forwards Jean Deysel and Keegan Daniel. CEO John Smit is pleased to have secured the signature of the Namibian international, who was one of the standouts during the Currie Cup season.

'We have witnessed Renaldo’s ability and explosiveness during this year’s Currie Cup competition and a player of his calibre will certainly bolster our Super Rugby squad,' said Smit.

'We welcome him to Durban and trust that his stay at the Sharks will be a memorable one.'

Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images