KINGSLEY Jones said this week that Newport Gwent Dragons are looking to buy Welsh next year with an eye being cast over exiles in the transfer market.

That’s admirable – and how nice it would be if Adam Hughes could be re-signed permanently from Exeter or if quality current internationals or those with Welsh lineage could be attracted to Rodney Parade – but there is a strong case for continuing on the path that has served them so well in the past two summers.

One of director of rugby Lyn Jones’ favourite little jibes is refer to one of their Scottish rivals in the Guinness Pro12 as “Edin van der Berg” but the Dragons have an increasingly important South African contingent themselves.

All three of their high profile recruits from Super Rugby franchises have been shrewd signings.

Lock Rynard Landman has become a talisman since heading north from the Cheetahs in the summer of 2014. The 29-year-old has played in 37 games and been a consistent performer with only one blot on his copybook, a red card against Connacht that saw him miss the knockout stages of Europe last season.

Prop Brok Harris has been a workhorse since joining from the Stormers, playing his part in the scrum developing, although he is the first to admit that there is still plenty of set piece progress to be made.

The 30-year-old headed to Europe in November after playing Super Rugby, then winning the Currie Cup with Wester Province and still started in 24 of 25 games, a remarkable feat for someone who also puts himself about.

The duo have undeniably been hits while it seems certain that scrum-half Sarel Pretorius will have a big tick next to his name after a superb start to life at Rodney Parade.

It was sad to see Jonathan Evans head to Bath but the 31-year-old has hit the ground running, allaying any fears about how he would adapt to European conditions and heavy pitches.

So three big money (by Dragons standards) recruits, three hits.

And then there is Carl Meyer, the full-back/centre/fly-half who has made his way to Rodney Parade from Pietermaritzburg via Ebbw Vale.

The 24-year-old is undoubtedly raw but is growing into life as a professional thanks to opportunities provided by others’ injury misfortune. There is plenty of growth in Meyer and he has the physique, big right boot, temperament and work ethic to be a cracking player.

All four South Africans have played large roles for the Dragons this season and, to a man, they prove Spitting Image wrong – they are nice fellas and the senior three are as influential at the Ystrad Mynach training base as they are on the pitch.

They tick all the boxes in terms of what you want from an overseas recruit; not only do they excel on the weekend but they are playing their part in aiding the next generation of Welsh talent.

So another South African? Yes please.

Of course, the Dragons’ hands are tied given that the Rugby Services Agreement states that they can have a maximum of six foreign players with two ‘time servers’ who qualify for Wales after three years.

That pair would be Landman and Meyer while they also have Harris, Pretorius, Nick Crosswell (New Zealand), Ed Jackson (England), Boris Stankovich (New Zealand/England) and Shaun Knight (England) on their books.

A lot depends on who is on board for next season but if the chance crops up, nobody would question the decision to shop South African.

But what is absolutely essential after the disappointment of the Taulupe Faletau exit is that a couple of quality, proven players come into the squad.

It would be stretching it to say that there is money burning a hole in the director of rugby’s pocket following the loss of the Wales number eight but there is some room in the budget and the RSA sets a minimum spend for the regions.

The frustration of losing Faletau lingers at Rodney Parade, especially given the suggestion that it would have taken little more than a burgeoning youngster’s wage to keep a Lions star in Wales at the expense of a move to the Aviva Premiership, but the blow will be cushioned with a few exciting new faces.