James joins Golden Lions

James joined Bath in 2007, from South African franchise the Sharks, but his spell at the club has been hampered by a shoulder and then a knee injury which has limited the World Cup winner to just 58 appearances for the English team.

The 32-year-old, who won the last of his 40 caps for South Africa in August last year, will join his new team in May.

James, who has scored 148 points for the Springboks, said that he was looking forward to the challenge of playing in the revamped Super Rugby competition.

"Making the team is going to be tough and when I eventually do get on the field it will be tough, so it was a big decision and a huge challenge which I am looking forward to," he said.