NELSON have a new man in their paid ranks with South African Robin Peterson signing on for the Seedhill outfit.

Peterson, a left arm spinner and batsman, captains the Warriors, formerly Eastern Province, in his homeland.

And the 26-year-old has five Test caps for the Proteas and played in 23 One-Day Internationals and will add steel to the Nelson batting.

Nelson skipper Mike Bradley said he was happy to have another quality spinner on board following the success of Australian spinner Nathan Hauritz last season.

He said: "We set out to get a spinner rather than a pace bowler because the pitch at Nelson suits spinners.

"And with the loss of Joe Scuderi and Paul Garaghty it was important that we strengthened the batting with a pro who can contribute with bat and ball, and I think we've done that."

Bradley added that Australian medium pacer Richard Meade, who played for the seconds last season but has made his move from Adelaide to this country permanent, is now eligible to play first team cricket and will join the squad.