South African Joost van der Westhuizen is being linked with a £200,000 a year move to Bath who appear to have given up on their attempt to sign the Cardiff and Wales scrum half Robert Howley.

Several other English clubs are expected to enter into an auction for the services of Van der Westhuizen who, unlike the 33-year old New Zealand number eight Zinzan Brooke, who is joining Harlequins, is not a player whose best years are behind him.

He is regarded as the leading scrum half in the world and at 26 he is at his peak, but van der Westhuizen is considering turning his back on international rugby to live and play in England.

Van der Westhuizen's contract with SARFU ends in July.