The pre-season rush to improve squads is one of the most exciting segments in any rugby campaign, not least before a new competition only making its debut like the United Rugby Championship will on Friday.
The contest formerly known as the Pro14 has been beefed up to include four outfits from South Africa, each of whom have been busy boosting their options in personnel before the new 16-team competition kicks off.
They're not the only ones who have dipped a toe or two in the transfer waters, however, as clubs from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy have each made acquisitions in recent months, some more impressive than others.
The South African contingent in particular are bringing a wave of fresh talent into the European ranks, although some aren't strictly 'new' given they've already featured for those sides in the Currie Cup.
Mirror Sport has browsed the 100 or so other new signings ready to make a splash in the URC, ranking the best of the bunch according to quality, general need at their respective new clubs and the impact they're likely to make.
10. Jason Jenkins (Bulls to Munster)
The South Africa connection at Thomond Park continues to deepen following Munster's capture of lock Jason Jenkins, a 6'8" monolith who arrives from Toyota Verblitz in Japan on a one-year contract.
The province may hope to extend that stay, however, if the 25-year-old can flourish alongside former Bulls team-mate RG Snyman, who himself promises to be like a new signing after spending much of his first season with Munster sidelined through injury.
Coach Johan van Graan lost a mountain of muscle among his pack this summer following the retirements of Billy Holland and CJ Stander, but one-cap Springbok Jenkins brings some big dimensions of his own and is still developing.
Who do you think will prove to be the URC's best signing of the season? Let us know in the comments section.
9. Rhyno Smith (Cheetahs to Benetton)
European rugby fans will soon be exposed to a lot of South African talent, and Rhyno Smith is among the most exciting despite the fact he'll be playing in Treviso this season.
Not only is the former Blitzbok a dab hand at sevens, but Smith has proved to be similarly adept in the full-sided code and gives Benetton a more-than-capable option on the wing, at full-back or even as an outside-half.
This will be Smith's second run-around among European competition after he spent a few seasons with the Cheetahs in the Pro14, where he ended the 2019/20 campaign as top try-scorer, with 10 to his name.
8. Will Rowlands (Wasps to Dragons)
Speaking of towering locks with plenty of upside, London-born Will Rowlands would appear to stand a better chance of adding to his nine Wales caps after agreeing to join the Dragons from Premiership outfit Wasps this summer.
Dragons director of Rugby Dean Ryan will be looking forward to getting his hands on the 6'8" lock after Matthew Screech headed for rivals Cardiff, and his second-row partnership with 20-year-old Ben Carter could make for a potent mixture.
7. Emiliano Boffelli (Racing 92 to Edinburgh)
Edinburgh fans knew as far back as January that star winger Duhan van der Merwe would be leaving for Worcester over the summer, and to their credit, the Scottish outfit responded admirably in securing Racing 92's Emiliano Boffelli as his replacement.
Or at least one half of his replacement, that is, given Edinburgh have also recruited Argentina team-mate Ramiro Moyano from Toulon, with both Pumas almost equally at home on the wing as they are at full-back.
Boffelli, 26, stands out in particular given he's the younger of the pair and remains a frequent fixture in Argentina's setup, not to mention his availability will make him all the more valuable come the Six Nations.
6. Bismarck du Plessis (Montpellier to Bulls)
Bulls coach Jake White has made use of his old connections to recruit South Africa stalwart Bismarck du Plessis, with the pair partnering up for a third time at club level following their previous deployments with Montpellier and the Sharks.
Du Plessis is a substantial get for the South African side even at 37 and six years after receiving the last of his 79 caps for the Springboks, providing the Bulls an elite option at hooker who's sure to be a boon to their dressing room.
5. Rhys Priestland (Bath to Cardiff)
Returning to Wales at 34 years of age, Rhys Priestland will be aware his homecoming with Cardiff Rugby could prove to be his career swan song, with numerous other URC signings offering more in terms of shelf life.
But the former Bath and Scarlets fly-half is such a seamless fit for the capital club that it only adds to his value, providing some much-needed class and quality to compete with Jarrod Evans at 10.
Priestland's methodical style of play makes him well-suited to thrive despite his advanced years, returning to Wales having broken the Premiership record for successful kicks in succession, slotting 36 without missing between November 2020 and March 2021.
4. Michael Ala'alatoa (Crusaders to Leinster)
Leinster have been one of the URC's less active teams this summer in terms of adding new talent, but Michael Ala'alatoa is a powerful pick-up from Crusaders, where he won three consecutive Super Rugby crowns (2017-19), as well as back-to-back Aotearoa titles (2020-21).
The Samoa international will undoubtedly bring quality to their pack after developing such winning habits in Christchurch, and Leinster tend to hit their target when it comes to these kinds of southern-hemisphere investments.
3. Simon Zebo (Racing 92 to Munster)
A Munster back line simply looks more 'right' when Simon Zebo is a part of it, and the maestro returns to Limerick on a one-year deal following his three-season sojourn in Paris with Racing 92.
He'll receive a hero's welcome back at Thomond Park, too, as Munster's all-time record try-scorer returns to his roots having crossed the line 60 times in 144 appearances during his first eight-year stint.
Zebo, 31, took a salary cut to rejoin his old club in a move co-funded by Irish Rugby, serving as proof of just how keen the winger-cum-full-back is to get going again in Munster (and possibly regain his place in the Ireland squad).
2. Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers to Sharks)
Another front-row recruit of note is South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi, a prominent member of the 2019 Rugby World Cup -winning squad and veteran of 42 Tests since earning his international debut in 2016.
The Sharks scrum already looked menacing with the likes of Siya Kolisi, Thomas du Toit and Gerbrandt Grobler present, but Mbonambi will add a glossy sheen to a crop of hookers that otherwise looked slightly green behind the ears.
1. Duane Vermeulen (Bulls to Ulster)
Ulster stunned the rugby community after announcing the signing of Duane Vermeulen with barely a week to go before the season gets underway, a move that almost seemed too good to be rustled together on such short notice.
It's no surprise coach Dan McFarland was among the most delighted to learn the Bulls powerhouse would be joining his ranks: "He's a big-bodied back-rower and a really smart player.
"He has been a top quality player for a long time and will play a part in making us a better team."
The 35-year-old has started in all 56 of his South Africa appearances to date and was elected Man of the Match in their 2019 Rugby World Cup final win over England, continuing Ulster's tradition of signing world-class carriers at No. 8.
