The NSW Waratahs have boosted their tight forwards by signing former Emerging Springboks lock Hendrik Roodt for the next two Super rugby seasons.

The 21-year-old will join the Waratahs for pre-season training in November.

Australian Super 14 teams are able to contract a developing foreign player who has yet to represent his native country at Test, Sevens or A-team level and Roodt could qualify for the Wallabies after three years of consecutive residency, as per IRB regulations.

"We've looked long and hard for another lock to strengthen our second-row stocks and we believe we've found that with Hendrik Roodt," said Waratahs coach Chris Hickey.

"Will Caldwell, Dean Mumm and Chris Thomson have performed well for us, and Kane Douglas continues to develop.

"Adding Hendrik into the mix will only serve to strengthen the tight five, particularly at the scrum and lineout."

In 2008 Roodt was selected for the victorious Emerging Springboks at the IRB Nations Cup in Bucharest, with the side going through the tournament undefeated with victories over Georgia, Italy A and Romania.

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