The ACT Brumbies have pulled off a massive recruitment coup to add the cream on top to beating former coach Jake White, signing star centre Christian Lealiifano for the next two years.
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Lealiifano will announce on Sunday he has resisted the temptation of big-money European deals to stay in Canberra and with the ARU.
The ACT Brumbies won the top-of-the-table battle against the Durban Sharks 16-9 at Canberra Stadium.
Lealiifano's decision to join Matt Toomua and Nic White in re-signing is an extra boost as the Brumbies prepare for a two-game tour of South Africa.
The Brumbies are set to announce a raft of signings in the coming weeks with Scott Fardy, Scott Sio, Jesse Mogg and Henry Speight among those searching for new deals.
Lealiifano found his goal-kicking groove against the Sharks, his boot helping kick the Brumbies clear in a brutal contest.
The 26-year-old knocked back rich European clubs and will now ramp up his bid for a World Cup spot.
"It was really tough, but they're a quality side. Jake White leads them well, we're very happy with that," Lealiifano said of the game.
"We knew we had to play through them; they've got a Springbok forward pack and I thought our piggies [forwards] did a great job."
The Brumbies will fly to Sydney on Sunday before taking off to South Africa on Monday for games against the Free State Cheetahs and Pretoria Bulls.
The win against the Sharks was a crucial moment in their season as they rebounded from last weekend's disaster against the Canterbury Crusaders.
"We pride ourselves in the way we react to our losses," said skipper Ben Mowen.
"If you can react well and make sure you get back on that winning bandwagon pretty quickly, you're going to be more often than not happy.
"Both teams understood how important this game was, this group is extremely motivated to keep evolving and you can't just do things year to year expecting to get results."
Mowen credits White with building his career. White quit the last two years of his Brumbies contract to return to South Africa and coach the Sharks.
"It's definitely not beating him. It's Brumbies versus Sharks and for Brumbies to get a result over a side like that it's important."
Brumbies winger Joseph Tomane had scans on a suspected fractured cheekbone on Saturday night.
If it's broken, the Wallabies speedster will likely be ruled out for the rest of the season.
Winger Henry Speight, lock Leon Power, prop Jean-Pierre Smith, playmaker Lionel Cronje and either Clyde Rathbone or Stephan van der Walt will join the squad which beat the Sharks for the African tour.
