CROSS KEYS' forays into the pre-season transfer market have resulted in the arrival of three South Africans.

And, in a double boost for the club, former Wales international Andrew Gibbs has accepted the captaincy, taking over from fellow back row man Steve Gardner.

The signing of three South Africans - second row David Freemantle, No 8 Salmon Pienaar and wing Robert Pewtner - brings the number of Keys signings this season to eight.

And a couple more are in the pipeline which will mean 20 of last season's squad and ten newcomers in the squad for 2002-2003.

"We had our first training session this week and there was a real buzz about the place," said head coach David Rees.

Both Freemantle and Pienaar (no relation to Francois) are past members of the Orange Free State Under-21s squad while Pewtner has a Welsh mother and a British passport. The 6ft 6in Freemantle and Pewtner played for Keynsham in the South West League Division One last season and it was because the club were reluctant to release their registrations that their move to Wales was delayed until the RFU stepped in to sort matters out.

"Freemantle is a robust and mobile ball carrier, " said Rees, "Pewtner looks sharp and Monty (Pienaar's nickname) also looks good.

"The first two were key players for Keynsham last season in a good standard of rugby. "We have taken a bit of a risk with them, but, at our first training session, they looked the part and I'm feeling very confident about the season ahead.

"We have a good squad with a mix of experience and potential. We have not gone for big names or ex-internationals but for players who will all play a part in our squad."

Gibbs, formerly with Newbridge, Newport and Llanelli, has been at Keys for three seasons and, says club secretary Chris Clarke, is the ideal player to lead the side. "He's very experienced, leads by example and is the ideal candidate for the job. His qualities rub off on others who respect him."

l Newbridge's John Bowd has had a change of heart and rejected a move to Welsh Premier Division Caerphilly in favour of another year in Division One at the Welfare Ground.

"After further consideration, I decided I would rather stay at Newbridge winning regularly than move to Caerphilly and lose regularly," said the powerful flanker.

"I've been promised I will be played as a flanker only (he has often doubled up as a centre) and I feel another season at Newbridge in that position will further my development.

"But I still hope to move to the Premier Division after next season."