Lima Sopoaga of Wasps in action during the Premiership match against London Irish at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on 20 October 2019.

Former All Blacks flyhalf Lima Sopoaga has been linked with a move to Western Province.

The former Highlanders pivot, who played 16 Tests for the All Blacks between 2015 and 2017, has been on the books of English club Wasps since 2018.

Afrikaans publication Netwerk24 is reporting that Western Province have set their sights on the player in an attempt to bolster their backline stocks.

Flyhalf has been an area of concern for the Cape union of late, with Damian Willemse and Tim Swiel not exactly grabbing the headlines during the recent Currie Cup and Super Rugby Unlocked tournaments.

After struggling at flyhalf, Willemse was eventually moved to fullback, with Swiel given an extended run at No 10.

There are also young guns like Kade Wolhuter, Chris Schreuder and Abner van Reenen and it is believed that WP are eager to recruit an experienced flyhalf to mentor the young players.

Willemse’s future at the union is also uncertain as the Springbok has been linked with a move to the Bulls.

Sopoaga, 30, would be seen as a like for like replacement for Willemse, having excelled in the fullback position for Wasps recently with Jacob Umaga taking over the No 10 jersey.

Sopoaga has, however, made no secret of the fact that he prefers to play flyhalf.

The former All Black appears to be in high demand though, with French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique reporting that he has been identified as a target for Top 14 outfit Lyon.