Veteran scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar is excited to join a few familiar faces in France after signing a three-year deal with French Top 14 outfit Montpellier.
The 33-year-old Pienaar's seven-year stint with Northern Ireland side Ulster came to an end this past season, and will join up with fellow South Africans and World Cup winners Frans Steyn, and bothers Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis at the French club.
"I'm really looking forward to arriving in Montpellier. This is a new challenge for me. Montpellier is a large club, with a team composed of many world-class players," Pienaar told the club's website.
"I look forward to seeing some of the old friends, but also to meet other players, whom I know only by name. I also hope to learn French, and to benefit from all that France, and more particularly Montpellier, can offer me."
After representing the South Africa at junior level, Pienaar began his professional career with the Sharks in 2004, before making his Super Rugby debut in 2005.
The versatile Pienaar, who has started at scrumhalf, flyhalf, wing and fullback for the Springboks, played 88 Tests for South Africa, and was part of former Montpellier coach Jake White's team that won the 2007 World Cup in France.
Pienaar has also played under new Montpellier coach Vern Cotter, and is looking forward to teaming up with the New Zealander in France.
"Vern Cotter has accomplished great things with some of the teams where he has coached. I am sure I will learn a lot from him, but also from the other members of the staff," Pienaar added.