Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter believes new signing André Goedhals “could develop into something special” for the Devon outfit after signing the lock on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Baxter used an injury dispensation for Italian star Andrea Zambonin, sidelined after a shoulder operation, to bring in Devon-born Goedhals from Currie Cup outfit the Pumas, RugbyPass reported last week.

Goedhals, 22, holds a British passport after being born in the county where his parents lived and worked for a time before returning to Riverdsal, a farming community in the Western Cape.

Baxter says that Goedhals, who can also play in the back row, is likely to make his first appearance for the club when they resume their PREM Rugby Cup campaign against Bath early next month.

“We’ve been looking at back five options for a little while now. Just because I think it’s an area we can still keep developing and improving, and we’ve got some great frontliners there.

“Daff Jenkins, Zambo (Zambonin), and then you back row, if everyone’s here: Tom Hooper, Ethan Roots, Ross Vincent, Kane James, Greg Fisilau, you start putting a really good, strong group together.

“But the problem is also the fact that they’re internationals. They get taken away for chunks of time, and all of a sudden, you do feel a bit thinner than you actually think you are.

“I’ve looked at Andre for a long time in good detail, and at 21, having been played a couple of years already in the Currie Cup for Western Province and now for the Pumas.

“And he just has something that I think could develop into something special. Obviously, his versatility is good, I just think he’ll develop into a very, very good player.

“He’s EQP (English Qualified Player), which is what we really want because we are tight on EQP numbers. So my focus on recruitment has been around EQP players,” said Baxter.

Goedhals said: “I’m really excited to be joining Exeter Chiefs. It’s a club with great history and ambition. The opportunity to challenge myself in a new environment, continue developing as a player and be part of such a competitive team was something I couldn’t turn down and that I always wanted.

“I’m looking forward to giving everything I have to the club, contributing to the team’s success and helping Chiefs compete for silverware. I’m also excited to experience rugby in England and to grow both on and off the field over the next few years.”