​​Springbok flanker Francois Louw has signed a deal to move to Bath Rugby for the 2011-12 season, the Chronicle can reveal.

The 25-year-old South African international will replace fellow

Springbok and current Bath captain Luke Watson, who is returning to his

homeland at the end of the season.

It is understood that Louw's deal will keep him at The Rec until at least 2013.

The Chronicle revealed in January that Bath were courting Louw.

The final terms of the deal are now agreed and the blindside specialist

has put pen to paper.

Neither Bath Rugby nor Louw's current Super 15 side, the Cape Town-based

Stormers, are publicly confirming the move but sources from both

England and South Africa have confirmed it is a done deal.

"Francois Louw has signed for Bath," said a contact close to both

northern and southern hemisphere rugby. "He will definitely be going to

Bath."

Loose forward Louw - a big back row unit at 6ft 3in and 17st 9lb - has

notched up seven international caps since making his debut against Wales

at the Millennium Stadium in June.

He has been in fine form for the Stormers so far this Super 15 and is

likely to feature in South Africa’s World Cup campaign in New Zealand in

September. As such, he is unlikely to arrive in Bath until November.