Former England star Danny Care hopes Steve Borthwick decides against picking the South African-born Benhard Janse van Rensburg.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s laws.<\/p>\n
Janse van Rensburg was initially tied to the Springboks<\/a> after playing 20 minutes for their U20 side in 2016, but the Red Rose argued their case to the global governing body.<\/p>\n They have found in their favour, describing it as an \u201cexceptional circumstance\u201d and will allow the Bristol midfield star to play for England<\/a> should they call him up.<\/p>\n England\u2019s midfield issues<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really agree with it,\u201d Care said on the BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s happened loads of times before and I\u2019ve played with players that have benefited from it, but I just think there\u2019s so many good young English 12s that are dying to play for England and have always wanted to play for England \u2013 that\u2019s their dream.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a brilliant player but he\u2019s not English. I might get stick for saying that, because there\u2019s been loads before that have done it, and I\u2019ve played with them \u2013 you love them when they\u2019re in your team because they\u2019re brilliant.<\/p>\n \u201cIt just doesn\u2019t feel right to me that that lad has never once in his wildest dreams wanted to play rugby for England.<\/p>\n \u201cBut now because he\u2019s played for a club over here for a few years, he goes, \u2018yeah, I\u2019ll play, I\u2019ll play for them\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n England allowed to pick Springboks-tied centre as World Rugby give greenlight under \u2018exceptional circumstances\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n 13 stars who could switch Test allegiances before World Cup 2027: Two Springboks-tied backs, six ex-All Blacks and Manu Tuilagi<\/a><\/p>\n Change in residency laws<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s done five years, he\u2019s done his time,\u201d Care said, before the England centurion questioned whether he has the quality to feature at the highest level, adding: \u201cIs he good enough to play international rugby? He\u2019s not good enough to play for South Africa, otherwise they\u2019d have picked him.\u201d<\/p>\n Given that the Rugby Football Union appealed to World Rugby, England may feel differently and it would be difficult for Borthwick<\/a> to ignore him if he continues his fine form at Bristol.<\/p>\n Care disagrees, however, and would not select Janse van Rensburg, saying: \u201cOut of principle because of what I believe in, no.\u201d<\/p>\n