Rassie Erasmus has weighed in on Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s switch to England after reports that World Rugby granted the South African the opportunity to change international allegiances.
The centre has been a consistent performer in Prem Rugby since making the move north and joining London Irish in 2021 before switching to the Bristol Bears two years later.
Janse van Rensburg will complete his five-year residency in England next year, which would usually pave the way for him to qualify to represent the national team.
However, he played for the South African U20s back in 2016, which at the time was nominated as a ‘capture team’, meaning that players who played for the team would only be able to change their international allegiance through a birthright transfer.
The U20s was nominated as the capture team, other than the Springboks, between 2016 and 2018, which has impacted other players like Hanro Liebenberg and Jacques Vermuelen, the latter openly slamming the policy that has denied him the opportunity to press for England selection.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s successful appeal
However, it is reported by The Telegraph that the RFU have successfully appealed Janse van Rensburg’s tie to South Africa and the Springboks with World Rugby.
It’s reported that World Rugby granted him the chance to switch international allegiances on the grounds of “exceptional circumstances” because he played just 20 minutes in the third-fourth place play-off on the u20 Championship.
The RFU successfully argued that 20 minutes off the bench in South Africa’s third-four play-off in 2016, having not played a single minute previously in the tournament, should not forever preclude a player from international rugby and World Rugby have reportedly agreed and granted him the opportunity to switch his international ties on the grounds of “exceptional circumstances”.
Fronting the media after the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Erasmus said that Janse van Rensburg was on their radar for a potential selection but added that they won’t stand in his way if he wants to make the switch to England.
In 2025, the likes of Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker, Damian Willemse, and Canan Moodie all played in the centre roles for the Springboks while double World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am was sidelined for a chunk of the season before being placed on stand-by.
Rassie Erasmus’ verdict on new Rugby World Cup format amid draw backlash
Rassie Erasmus’ verdict
The depth in the centres and lack of injuries meant that the Boks didn’t select beyond the aforementioned sextet, but Erasmus said that they have been keeping tabs on Janse van Rensburg.
“We’ve got our succession planning lists, and he’s certainly a guy that we’ve many times looked at and thought, ‘OK, can he do it?’” Erasmus explained.
“And then you see him again, in a great game, you see him in the Barbarians game, and some of our coaches know him really well. But he’s available for England now.
“World Rugby have a regulation that prohibits the guys from doing that [switching nations], but they found a special rule that allows him to do it.
“And shit, we wouldn’t like to stand in a guy’s way who can make it for England.”
Players like Jurenzo Julius, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Ruhan Nel, Henco van Wyk and Jonathan Roche have attended Springbok alignment camps in recent seasons, while others like David Kriel and Dan du Plessis could come into the selection frame too – if needed.
Erasmus stated that if two centres were to go down injured, Janse van Rensburg might then come into the selection frame, but the local talent was there to select from, too.
Ultimately, the Bok head coach had no ill feelings towards the Bristol centre’s desire to play for England.
“So if two centres go down, he might be in the mix, but there’s also a lot of young guys in South Africa that we think can do it,” he added.
“So good for him that he can play for them.”