The Bulls have confirmed fly-half Handre Pollard will be leaving the Super Rugby franchise at the end of the season.
The Springboks star has been heavily linked with a move north since the turn of the year, with Bath and Harlequins both sounding out their interest in the 25-year-old.
A big-money move to Montpellier and the Top 14 now looks set to be Pollard’s next destination.
A season of change awaits the French club under the chequebook of billionaire owner Mohed Altrad.
Head coach Vern Cotter has been manoeuvred into the director of rugby role to allow room for the hire of Xavier Garbajosa, who has signed a four-year contract to leave La Rochelle.
It is understood Pollard has agreed in-principle to join Montpellier and would add to a South African contingent already comprising Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis and Johan Goosen.
One player leaving France for a plane home to South Africa is Morne Steyn.
The Bulls will come full circle from where they left off in 2013 when Pollard succeeded Steyn, after the latter’s departure to Stade Francais.
34-year-old Steyn made 124 appearances for the Bulls and will return to Loftus Versfeld, the venue of his series-winning penalty kick over the Lions in 2009, on a two-year deal.
Bulls CEO Alfons Meyer said of Steyn’s homecoming: “Even Rassie (Erasmus, Springbok coach) thinks it’s a good acquisition. With Handre going to France, it means Manie Libbok is the only flyhalf remaining in our group.
“Morne is very experienced and he can be a very good mentor for Manie.”