Western Province are chasing an All Black as they look to put the departure of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi behind them.
According to Netwerk24, the union is interested in luring 16-cap New Zealand flyhalf Lima Sopoaga to their Cape Town Stadium home.
The 30-year-old Sopoaga is currently contracted to English club Wasps, having led the Highlanders to the 2015 Super Rugby title.
Province and Stormers coach John Dobson reportedly told the website that they are looking for an international-level flyhalf.
And he seems to admit that the effort to groom Damian Willemse into a WP and Springbok pivot has come to nought, as the versatile backline star attracts interest of Jake White and the Bulls.
Dobson has relied on Tim Swiel, who returned to the union last season, and earmarking young Kade Wolhuter, adding: “I think No.10 has been a challenge for us for a little while now.
“We haven’t really settled there. We were pushing Damian and he went back [to fullback] and he has done well at the back, so we possibly haven’t got that right.”
Province are also interested in free agent and national team lock Marvin Orie.
Orie could be a handy addition to the second row, with Salmaan Moerat indicating over the recent Currie Cup season that he would like to be converted into a flank a la Pieter-Steph du Toit, who missed the entire season with a serious leg injury.
matthew.marcus@inl.co.za