Monday 16 January 2017 17:03, UK
South Africa international Arno Botha and Connacht's John Cooney have agreed to join Ulster this summer.
Bulls forward Botha has agreed a two-year deal and will move to Belfast after completing the 2017 Super Rugby season with his current club.
And scrum-half Cooney, who began his career with Leinster, will switch to his third Irish province, also on a two-year contract.
Botha was capped twice by the Springboks in 2013 but has not featured at international level since suffering a knee injury on his second appearance.
Ulster's director of rugby Les Kiss told the club website: "Arno was tipped to be a future Springboks captain from a young age but his career was somewhat curtailed by injuries after he made his international debut in 2013.
"Those injuries are behind him now and he has regained his best form over the past 12 months. His leadership and abrasiveness will be key attributes for us over the next couple of seasons.
"Having searched domestically and abroad for the best available Irish-qualified scrum-half, John was undoubtedly our No1 target.
"I know from speaking with the Irish management team that they also rate him very highly and he has the potential to play international rugby."
Cooney said: "I felt it was the right time for a fresh challenge. I have aspirations to play international rugby but first and foremost my focus will be on earning the starting scrumhalf position at Ulster."
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