The Scarlets are looking to ease their front-row problems by signing Southern Kings prop Pieter Scholtz.
He is expected to pitch up in Llanelli this week on a deal until the end of the season, according to The Rugby Paper.
The strong-scrummaging WillGriff John is in the region’s sights for the longer term.
But the Scarlets have an immediate issue to sort with Samson Lee away with Wales and Alex Jeffries sidelined by an elbow problem, leaving them with just two fit tight-heads in Javan Sebastian and Werner Kruger.
They were sending out distress signals in the scrums against Edinburgh a week last Sunday and have turned to Scholtz to see if he can improve matters.
The big man became something of an internet sensation last year when he lost his shirt while playing for Southern Kings against Connacht, yet still charged 70 metres downfield.
At 6ft 1in and a hefty 20st 11lb, according to Kings' website, the Pretoria-born player should take some shifting in the scrums.
But further down the line, John is the target, with the strongman Sale prop set to contemplate a move to regional rugby to boost his Wales cap prospects.
The suggestion is one of the most powerful front rowers in rugby could link with the Scarlets for next season, finance permitting.
Head coach Glenn Delaney was asked about recruitment for 2021-22, with the New Zealander replying: “It’s really challenging, because the key challenge we’re all facing is the economic one. Notwithstanding that we are still trying to perform and play games.
“We still do our regular bits and pieces as a rugby department, looking at players, looking at what the future could look like. Those are the important things to stay on top of.”
He continued: "We are always looking to what the future brings.
“The flip side of that is that we’re looking to bring guys through.
“You marry those two things up, looking at what may be on the horizon outside with what’s coming through, and you’ll hopefully see where we are going as a club.”
