Kent have signed South Africa fast bowler Hardus Viljoen for the remaining four matches of the Specsavers County Championship season.

The 27-year-old right-armer has taken 325 first-class wickets at an average of 26.66, with 19 five-wicket hauls in 83 red-ball matches to date. The 6ft4in seamer made his Test debut in January 2016 against England at Johannesburg.

He took a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket, only the 20th man to achieve the feat, dismissing England captain Alastair Cook.

Speaking about the move, Viljoen said: “I’m delighted to join Kent and experience county cricket.

“I’ve just played a tri-series for South Africa A so I feel in good shape after a few weeks off.

“I’m looking forward to representing Kent and I will give it my all as it’s always been a dream to play county cricket.”

The new signing arrived in the UK today and will join up with the Kent squad ahead of their County Championship Division Two trips to Gloucestershire (Tue 23 Aug) and Sussex (Wed 31 Aug).

He could make his home debut against Northants (Tue 6 Sep, Beckenham) and Essex (Tue 20 Sep, Canterbury).

Chairman of cricket Graham Johnson said: “We’ve carried a lot of injuries in the seam bowling department this summer.

“With four important games left in the campaign we wanted to give ourselves the best chance to build on the work done to get us into the current position to challenge for that one promotion spot.

“The experience and spark that Hardus can bring will be important in the run in.”