Mark Davis believes Sussex have pulled off a real coup in signing South Africa all-rounder Stiaan van Zyl – thanks to a little help from a friend.

Van Zyl has decided to call time on his international career at the age of 29 to join Sussex on a three-year deal as a Kolpak signing.

The left-hand batsman and medium pace bowler made the last of his 12 Test appearances against New Zealand less than three months ago but has decided his future lies in England and was persuaded Sussex was the ideal destination by countryman David Wiese.

Wiese enjoyed a successful spell at Hove last season and sung the praises of the county and the rebuilding project Davis and skipper Luke Wright are working towards with a crop of promising young players.

Davis said: “I’ve been following Stiaan for a couple of years so I am very excited to have finally been able to sign him.

“I spoke to him a couple of months ago when he was on a South Africa A tour to Australia and asked what he was planning to do in the future. David knows him very well so I got him to call Stiaan and tell him all about the club.

“It hasn’t been straightforward to get English players to come to the club as those that come on the market have ended up going to the Test grounds. That meant we had to widen the net and in being able to bring in a top player like Stiaan I think we have pulled off quite a coup.”

Van Zyl is able to sign as a non-overseas player due to the fact he has played a Test match within the last two years under an agreement – known as Kolpak – between the English and South African cricket boards. However, it means he will not be able to play for South Africa again.

The 29-year-old scored a century on Test debut against the West Indies two years ago but felt his opportunities at international level were likely to be limited in the future.

Davis added: “He bats in the top four and has even opened for his country so he will strengthen our batting.

“He’s a left-hander as well which is always useful and I think his bowling will suit the English conditions and the Duke ball we use over here compared to the one they have in South Africa.

“What I like the most is that he is a really good age.

“At 29 he’s got a lot of experience which is what we were looking for to help out the young players in the team but he is also in his prime rather than coming to the end of his career.”

Van Zyl has played 131 first-class matches, scoring almost 8,000 runs at an average of 42.78, while he has taken 52 wickets at 35.07.

He also boasts an impressive record in limited overs cricket for Cape Cobras.

Van Zyl said: “I am very excited to be joining such a prestigious club as Sussex and can’t wait to be contributing on and off the field, especially with the youngsters coming through.

“I look forward to helping Sussex towards silverware next season.”

Van Zyl is Sussex’s first signing of the winter but Davis says he is “pretty close” to agreeing terms with a couple of other players.

He also confirmed that Ed Joyce was still “undecided” about whether he would return to Hove next season having previously hinted he was likely to retire from county cricket.