Gloucester circling Sharks back-row James Venter

Gloucester are closing in on signing South African blindside flanker James Venter from United Rugby championship outfit the Sharks on a deal from the start of next season.

Venter, 28, who hails from Port Shepstone at the mouth of the Mzimkulu River KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, has made 55 appearances for the Sharks since joining them from the Lions four years ago.

But the return to Durban of Siya Kolisi, who has led the Springboks to back-to-back World Cup Final successes, means that he will find his chances outside of the international window very limited.

Venter has started five games for the Sharks in the URC this season and was yellow-carded for the second time this campaign in the 41-24 demolition of Munster at Kings Park yesterday afternoon.

Educated at Glenwood Boys High, he played for the Sharks as a schoolboy before starting his career in the Currie Cup with the Golden Lions and playing a couple in Super Rugby with the Lions.

Venter was also part of the Sharks side that beat Gloucester in the Challenge Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur stadium in May and sources in South Africa claim he will be paid around £180,000 a season to move to Kingsholm.

The Sharks are willing to let him leave because, apart from Kolisi, they are well-stocked in the position with Tino Mavesere, Dylan Richardson, Siya Ningiza, Phepsi Buthelezi and Manu Tshituka on their books.

It is another boost for the Cherry and Whites, who last week announced London trader Jack Ingles was taking a stake in his hometown club before winning their first home game of the season against Newcastle Falcons.

Jack Clement has started five of their six games this season on the blindside, while Ruan Ackermann started the opening weekend defeat to Saracens there, so Venter will be adding to the competition for places when he arrives.