Former England star Danny Care hopes Steve Borthwick decides against picking the South African-born Benhard Janse van Rensburg.
The Bristol Bears centre will become eligible for the Red Rose in 2026 after completing five years residency in England, in accordance with World Rugby’s laws.
Janse van Rensburg was initially tied to the Springboks after playing 20 minutes for their U20 side in 2016, but the Red Rose argued their case to the global governing body.
They have found in their favour, describing it as an “exceptional circumstance” and will allow the Bristol midfield star to play for England should they call him up.
England’s midfield issues
The Englishmen have struggled to find an answer at centre over the past few years and having Janse van Rensburg available would certainly increase their options.
However, Fraser Dingwall and Ollie Lawrence were excellent as a pair against the All Blacks last month before Max Ojomoh produced a man-of-the-match performance in the victory over Argentina.
“I don’t really agree with it,” Care said on the BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
“It’s happened loads of times before and I’ve played with players that have benefited from it, but I just think there’s so many good young English 12s that are dying to play for England and have always wanted to play for England – that’s their dream.
“He’s a brilliant player but he’s not English. I might get stick for saying that, because there’s been loads before that have done it, and I’ve played with them – you love them when they’re in your team because they’re brilliant.
“It just doesn’t feel right to me that that lad has never once in his wildest dreams wanted to play rugby for England.
“But now because he’s played for a club over here for a few years, he goes, ‘yeah, I’ll play, I’ll play for them’.”
Change in residency laws
A few years ago, World Rugby decided to increase the period a player needed to reside in a country in order to qualify for the national team.
“He’s done five years, he’s done his time,” Care said, before the England centurion questioned whether he has the quality to feature at the highest level, adding: “Is he good enough to play international rugby? He’s not good enough to play for South Africa, otherwise they’d have picked him.”
Given that the Rugby Football Union appealed to World Rugby, England may feel differently and it would be difficult for Borthwick to ignore him if he continues his fine form at Bristol.
Care disagrees, however, and would not select Janse van Rensburg, saying: “Out of principle because of what I believe in, no.”