Allen & Overy has stepped up its bid to break into South Africa with plans to set up its own office in Johannesburg.

The magic circle firm has held exploratory discussions with a number of partners including a team from leading South African firm Bowman Gilfillan, with a view to setting up its first base in the country.

One well-placed source said that talks between Bowmans partners and A&O were ongoing.

"Allen & Overy are active in South Africa, it is a natural step for them to take," commented one City partner with close ties to the African market. "The firm was definitely trying to poach a team from Bowmans."

A partner at a South African firm added: "A&O have been talking to people in South Africa for nearly two years. They have talked to people at a number of the big firms"

A spokesperson for A&O told Legal Week that the firm is regularly approached by "interested parties" across the continent, but currently had nothing to announce.

"Africa is a strategically important region and one that we continue to monitor very closely for further growth opportunities," added the spokesperson.

Bowman Gilfillan declined to comment.

If its plans come to fruition, A&O would be the first magic circle firm to set up its own independent practice in the country without an association with a local firm. Linklaters became the first of the UK's big five firms to enter the country in December 2012 when it formed an alliance with Webber Wentzel.

Earlier this year, partners at Clifford Chance suggested that the firm would have a presence in sub-Saharan Africa within 12 months.

A host of other international firms already have established presences in the country.

Most recently Simmons & Simmons formed a non-exclusive alliance with Fasken Martineau in Africa, while DLA Piper entered into a tie-up with local firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr in 2008.

In December 2013, Hogan Lovells merged with Eversheds' former South African ally Routledge Modise, giving the firm an office in Johannesburg.

Clyde & Co formally opened offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town at the beginning of this month, after taking partners from Webber Wentzel to lead its South African practice.

Last week Baker & McKenzie announced the extention of its South African offering, with the addition of a competition practice in Johannesburg.

Meanwhile Norton Rose Fulbright has hired Bowman Gilfillan's head of oil and gas, who will join the firm's Cape Town office this month. Lizel Oberholzer is set to join as a director focusing on energy, resources and utility regulation.

Legacy Norton Rose has had a presence in South Africa since 2011, established through a merger with South African firm Deneys Reitz.