Froch defended his title against Matthew Barney despite an injury

Froch will face the Ramsgate-based South African, a former all-African champion, at the Nottingham Arena.

"I wanted to get straight back into a competitive fight," Froch explained.

Froch, 28, damaged his knuckle in his eight-round stoppage of Henry Porras in April but went on to make a successful defence against Matthew Barney.

Groenewald has contested five 12-round bouts, has never been stopped and is likely to cause problems with his combative, unorthodox style.

He has never been stopped before, but he is coming up against the 'Cobra' here... I am a cold-blooded predator Carl Froch

Froch has been sparring during his rehabilitation from surgery and insists he has made the right decision with his choice of opponent.

"I have had plenty of sparring to test my hand so a warm-up would be pointless," he said.

"I have got big plans for next year so don't want to be wasting time in one-sided eight rounders that teach me nothing.

"He is fit, strong, very determined and never gives up. Everything you don't like to face really.

"He has never been stopped before, but he is coming up against the 'Cobra' here. I am a cold-blooded predator."