The 24 year-old has won three caps for the Springboks, making his debut last summer against New Zealand in the Tri Nations. He joins Quins from the Blue Bulls, with whom he represented in both the Super 12's and the Currie Cup, and where he shared the award of 'Forward Player of the Year' with his younger brother Jacques in 2003.

Cronje is set to join Quins at the end of this month through until the end of the season, with the option to stay at the Stoop for a further 12 months after that.

"We have been looking for a big, physical, ball carrying lock forward for a while now and Geo fits into all of those categories," said Mark Evans, NEC Harlequins Chief Executive. "I am very excited about what he will bring to the squad and I am confident that he will make a big impact in the Zurich Premiership."

"His arrival, along with Simon Maling, will bring added competition for places within the team and I'm sure this will have a positive impact on our performances and results throughout the remainder of the season."