Zurich Premiership side Harlequins have announced the capture of former South African skipper Andre Vos to the Stoop on Monday but waved farewell to England back-row Steve White-Cooper.

Less than 24 hours after wrapping up a disappointing Premiership campaign with yet another defeat at Sale, Quins confirmed the arrival of Vos on a three-and-a-half year contract and the departure of White-Cooper for business reasons.

Vos has won 33 international caps for South Africa, making his debut against Italy on 12th June 1999. He was captain of South Africa between June 2000 and June 2001, and made a try scoring debut as skipper in the 51-18 victory over Canada (10th June 2000).

At the age of 21, Vos captained Eastern Province against New Zealand in 1996 and played for Queensland Reds in the 1998 Super 12. Earlier in his career, he won representative honours with South Africa Under 19's, Under 21's and Emerging Springboks, and was also part of the South Africa 'A' squad that toured the United Kingdom and Ireland in 1996.

"I am delighted to have a player who is still in his mid-twenties and has such a wealth of international experience join us on a long-term basis," said Mark Evans, NEC Harlequins Chief Executive. "Having met with Andre, I am confident he will bring an enormous amount of value to the club."

"It is with great excitement that I take on the new challenge of playing for NEC Harlequins. They have always been a highly respected club that is rich in tradition and to be a part of that will be a great experience for me," said Vos.

"I am very enthusiastic and expectant about working with Mark Evans, whom I believe will take the club from strength to strength."

"I anticipate a very happy and successful time with Quins."

Vos will join Quins at the start of November this year, once he has completed his commitments with the Cats in the Currie Cup.

Evans also confirmed White-Cooper's departure, even though he had been an outside candidate for an England tour spot this summer.

White-Cooper won full international honours against Canada 12 months ago, and was also part of the Quins side which beat Narbonne in last year's European Shield final.

"Steve is a terrific player and we are going to miss him," admitted Evans.