With England hunting fresh firepower ahead of the next World Cup cycle, two South African stars are reportedly edging closer to ditching their Springbok ambitions and throwing their lot in with Steve Borthwick’s rejuvenated Red Rose.
Both players are already lighting up the Premiership — and now find themselves firmly on England’s radar as potential international recruits.
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Benhard Janse van Rensburg – Springbok to Red Rose?
Bristol Bears powerhouse Benhard Janse van Rensburg could be lining up in white rather than green and gold by the time the 2027 Rugby World Cup rolls around.
The 28-year-old has never earned a senior Springbok cap, but his run with the South Africa U20s back in 2016 counted as an ‘capturing’ team at the time. As a result, he needed World Rugby to formally release him from his South African ties — which he has now done.
With that hurdle cleared and his five-year residency almost complete, Janse van Rensburg is suddenly a genuine option for Borthwick if the England boss wants to bolster his midfield depth in the next World Cup cycle.
Tyrone Green – Harlequins star weighing up England switch
Explosive Harlequins back Tyrone Green is another South African who could be wearing the Red Rose in the near future.
The 27-year-old previously shone for the Junior Springboks but remains eligible to switch allegiance, with 2026 being the earliest he could run out for England.
But Green isn’t rushing anything. Speaking to Planet Rugby in 2024, he made it clear that club success comes first:
“That’s a bridge I’ll cross when I get there. For now, I’m putting international things behind me and trying to get more silverware at Harlequins.”
Still, with Borthwick constantly searching for back-three firepower, Green’s name refuses to go away.
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