He will join the division-two team for eight County Championship matches between May and July.

Bavuma, who made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test against the West Indies in 2014, has 1,488 Test runs at 33.81 and 6,680 first-class runs at 37.52 with 12 centuries.

“Signing a player of his international stature underlines our ambitions,” said Northants chief executive Ray Payne. “His Test experience will bring an added dimension.

“We are keen to return to the Championship’s top division and hopefully his runs will help us achieve that. His Test experience will bring an added dimension to the team and we’re all looking forward to welcoming a cricketer who is admired and respected around the cricketing world.”