Jooste to replace Castres' Bok

Castres signed South African back row forward Wessel Jooste as emergency cover, with both regular starters – Springbok Pedrie Wannenburg and Yannick Caballero – out injured.

Jooste, 29, already has Top 14 experience with Bourgoin, where he played for seven seasons, and in England with Leicester Tigers.

Castres called on Jooste – who trained with the high-flying Top 14 outfit on Tuesday and could feature in Friday's home game against leaders Toulon – with Wannenburg out for the season and Caballero out of contention with a knee injury.

Their resources were further diminished with South African-born flank Antonie Claassen called up to France's Six Nations squad for Saturday's game with England.

"I was in contact with Castres on Saturday and I had no hesitation in coming back to France, a country I like a lot," he said.

Castres are presently fourth in the table after 18 matches, 16 points adrift of Toulon.

AFP