Springbok and Vodacom Bulls prop Lizo Gqoboka is set to join Top 14 giants Montpellier on a short-term loan deal during the World Cup.

The 29-year-old was left out of the Boks’ 31-man squad for the World Cup, announced in Johannesburg on Monday, but could still be included on the standby list for any injuries.

Given that the Bulls have failed to progress to the Currie Cup playoffs, Gqoboka has decided to join Montpellier in a deal similar to Wilco Louw’s move to Toulon.

After an outstanding Super Rugby season, Gqoboka made two appearances off the bench for the Springboks, winning his first cap in the Rugby Championship opener against Australia.

Gqoboka will join fellow South Africans at the club in the Du Plessis brothers, Jannie and Bismarck, as well as former Bulls Jacques du Plessis and Paul Willemse.

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