BOBBY Skinstad is the latest big name South African to arrive at Rodney Parade, signing a three-month contract to join the Newport Gwent Dragons until the end of the season.

Negotiations had been going on for some time and the back row forward actually signed a while ago, but benefactor Tony Brown wanted to keep the lid on it while the Heineken Cup was in progress.

Skinstad, a former South Africa captain who has won 33 caps, will arrive in Newport tomorrow morning and will be at a midday Press conference.

He will watch Saturday's Heineken Cup-tie against Leicester and will be available for the Dragons in their Celtic League game against Leinster at Rodney Parade a fortnight tomorrow.

He moves straight into accommodation in Cardiff which has already been set up for him. He joins former big name South African internationals Gary Teichmann, Adrian Garvey and Percy Montgomery, who have all figured at Rodney Parade, while Franco Smith, now with Treviso, also had a year at Newport.

But Skinstad is the first to link up directly with the new Dragons team.

Brown stresses the signing is an indication of the way ahead for the Dragons, while explaining that the current back row strength could be affected by the loss of Michael Owen, Ross Beattie and possibly Jason Forster to the Six Nations.

"This is a statement of intent by Newport Gwent Dragons about the way we want to go forward," said Brown. "We want to build on what Mike Ruddock has created this season.

"We could lose two or three players in the pack and when the oppostunity came along to sign Bobby, we did. We hope it will reinforce the position the Dragons occupy in the Celtic League.

"He has got 33 caps and can play anywhere in the back row. We heard he was available and have been in negotiations for some time.

"Newport as Newport built up a good reputation in South Africa through Gary Teichmann and others for being fair to players. Contracts were honoured and we looked after them in other matters," added Brown.

Skinstad will link up again with Montgomery after the pair played for Western Stormers and South Africa together.

Skinstad, who is 27, was hailed as the glamour boy of South African rugby and he took over the captaincy and number eight position from Gary Teichmann when then coach Nick Mallett made his controversial decision prior to the 1999 World Cup.

Brown and Mallett extended their relationship after the Stade Francais game on Sunday. Skinstad has enjoyed a glittering career, captaining his country in the World Cup and Tri Nations competitions and Western Stormers in the Super 12 tournament.

But he was forced to miss last year's World Cup after breaking an elbow to follow a knee injury from which he has now recovered.

He says it is time to take a break from South African rugby 'to explore other opportunities' though he hasn't ruled out a return to his country.

He will be available for Newport Gwent Dragons for 12 Celtic League games plus the Heineken Cup knock-out stages should they qualify.

Meanwhile, Dragons and Wales assistant coach Clive Griffiths, who primarily looks after defence in both camps, is not likely to have his contract with Wales renewed by the Welsh Rugby Union when it expires at the end of the season.

He could be the major casualty in the back-room staff, especially if the new coach wants to bring in his own assistant.