South Africa seamer Andre Nel has completed a deal that will enable him to play for Northamptonshire.
The Wantage Road county had to wait for Nel's signature while he established whether he could play for South Africa A and South Africa should he be selected for these squads.
Nel met the South African board's boss Gerald Majola on Wednesday to reveal his county contract contained a "get-out" clause to free him up to play for his country.
South Africa A have a tour of Australia scheduled in April and South Africa are due to tour England in June.
"I am really looking forward to playing county cricket and to learning from Kepler Wessels, who will be coaching there," said Nel after the meeting.
"County cricket is a huge challenge - you are playing against some of the best professionals in the world.
Hopefully, the experience in England will also help me if I am selected for the South African tour there," he added.
Nel's county contract is for the English summer of 2003, from 1 March to 26 September, with a possibility of renewal for another year.