NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have bolstered their tight five by signing South African second row Rynard 'Ligtoring' Landman.

The 27-year-old lock, who has played four games for the Cheetahs in Super Rugby this season, has penned a three-year deal with the Rodney Parade region.

Landman, 6ft 5ins and 18st 12lbs, will add some steel to the Dragons boilerhouse. The South African is a strong ball carrier, good lineout operator and is mobile, as is shown by him covering at blindside flanker when required.

"I am delighted that we have recruited Rynard," said Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones. "It's another piece of the jigsaw and an important signing in the development of the region.

"He will offer size, strength and experience to the second row and will act as a catalyst in the growth of our current crop of young Welsh locks.

"Not only will Rynard will be a real physical presence in the pack but he will help to bring along Matthew Screech, Cory Hill and Joe Davies."

Landman, who made two Super Rugby appearances for the Lions in 2009, earned a shot with the Cheetahs last year thanks to his strong performances with the Griquas in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup.

He made 16 appearances to help his side reach the 2013 Super Rugby playoffs and started in the second row when they were edged out by the Brumbies in Canberra.

Landman was also a member of the Royal XV that came close to claiming a famous win against the British and Irish Lions in 2009 only to be denied by a late charge by Ian McGeechan's tourists.

At the Griquas he formed a second-row partnership with Martin Muller, who signed up to head to Rodney Parade last summer only for the deal to fall through.

Landman becomes the Dragons' seventh recruit for next season following the signings of props Boris Stankovich (Leicester) and David Young (Jersey), hooker Rhys Buckley (Moseley), lock Ian Gough (London Irish), wing Aled Brew (Biarritz) and full-back Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne).