Springbok full-back on his way to Leinster

Super XV outfit The Bulls have announced that Springbok full-back Zane Kirchner will join Leinster on a two-year deal at the end of the current season.

A fullback by trade but also comfortable in centre and on the wings, Kirchner will be a like-for-like replacement for Leinster favourite Isa Nacewa, who will retire from rugby return to New Zealand this summer.

The Western Cape native has racked up 100 points in 77 appearances since joining the Bulls in 2008 and was part of the victorious Super Rugby campaigns in 2009 and 2010.

Kirchner also has fifteen points from 24 appearances with the Springboks to his name.

Despite a five month long effort by the Blue Bulls Company to have 28-year old Kirchner extend his contract past the 31 October 2013 expiry date, the player's agent on Friday confirmed a two-year deal with the Irish province.

A final release date has not been established though and will be determined by the BBC board of directors, their high performance manager Xander Janse van Rensburg said on Monday.

"We understand that an earlier release might be requested, but it is up to the board to approve that or not," he explained.

"We have been in talks with Zane and his agent since November and although it is very disappointing to lose his services, we wish him well with the new phase in his career.

"From our side, with coach Frans Ludeke very involved and in regular consultation with Springbok management, we tried our best to keep the player in Pretoria, but could in the end not compete with the exchange rate and the expectations of Zane and his agent."