Munster have announced the signing of South Africa centre Jean de Villiers.

The 28-year-old is expected to join the Magners League champions by mid-September after the Springboks' Tri-Nations campaign.

But the deal will only be rubber-stamped if Western Province agree to De Villiers' request for an early release from his current contract.

Munster want De Villiers ahead of the Heineken Cup registration date of September 17 but his current contract does not expire until October 31.

De Villiers has won 46 caps for South Africa and played in the first two Tests of the Springboks' series victory against the British and Irish Lions.