The Brumbies have signed veteran openside flanker Chris Alcock for the 2017 Super Rugby season to help fill the hole left by David Pocock.

The 28-year-old Alcock has had seven seasons in Super Rugby, three with the NSW Waratahs and the last four with the Western Force.

He is likely to be a straight replacement for Wallabies star Pocock, who is taking a 12-month sabbatical from the competition to play in Japan and pursue other opportunities.

Alcock said he was looking forward to the change.

“The Brumbies forward pack is really physical and go about their business really well, so I just want to come in and join in as best I can,” he said on Tuesday.

“The goal is to become part of the squad and get myself some game time.”

Coach Stephen Larkham, who last week signed a one-year contract extension for 2017, said the South African-born pilferer was among Super Rugby’s top 10 tacklers this season.

“He has established himself as a hard-nosed flanker whose aggression makes him a dangerous player in both attack and defence for opposition teams,” Larkham said.

“Chris is strong on the ball at the breakdown and one of his major strengths is forcing penalties and gaining turnovers.”

The Brumbies are expected to soon finalise a deal with another former Force player, centre Kyle Godwin, who is pushing to make his Wallabies debut in Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with South Africa.

The club will be without a host of stars next year, including Pocock, Stephen Moore (Queensland Reds), Matt Toomua (Leicester) and Joe Tomane (Montpellier).

It’s also unclear whether Christian Lealiifano will play after being diagnosed with Leukaemia last month, but he could join their coaching staff.