Benhard Janse van Rensburg called up to England training squad
Quick Look
- Benhard Janse van Rensburg, formerly of South Africa U20s, has been included in the England training squad, making him eligible to play this summer after a successful RFU appeal to World Rugby.
- He can play against Fiji and Argentina but not South Africa.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who previously played for South Africa's Under-20 team, has been included in the England training squad. His eligibility was contested due to a past appearance for the 'Baby Boks', but the RFU successfully appealed to World Rugby.
Former South Africa Under-20 centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been called up to the England training squad in the clearest indication yet that head coach Steve Borthwick intends to blood him this summer.
Bristol's Janse van Rensburg had been tied to South Africa at Test level by a single 20-minute appearance for the 'Baby Boks' in 2016, but the Rugby Football Union (RFU) successfully appealed to World Rugby last year that his emergency injury cover cameo should not mean he is only eligible for the Springboks.
It was initially thought that Janse van Rensburg, who joined London Irish in 2021 before moving to Ashton Gate, would only qualify for England on the five-year residency ground in November.
However, his paperwork makes him eligible to play against Fiji on 11 July and Argentina on 18 July.
He will not qualify for England in time to face South Africa in Johannesburg on 4 July in the opening round of this summer's Nations Championship.
Janse van Rensburg's inclusion comes at the expense of Bath pair Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh, who are left out.
Fraser Dingwall, Seb Atkinson and Henry Slade are the other specialist midfielders who make the cut.
Lawrence and Ojomoh's club team-mate Henry Arundell is also absent, despite scoring nine tries in his past seven club appearances.
The wing endured a difficult Six Nations, scoring an opening-round hat-trick against Wales, shown a 20-minute red card in the defeat by Scotland and dropped after the 42-21 defeat by Ireland.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Benhard Janse van Rensburg will play for England against Fiji or Argentina.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will Benhard Janse van Rensburg be selected for the final squad to play Fiji and Argentina?
- What is the specific reason for Henry Arundell's absence despite his recent try-scoring form?
- What is the full extent of the injuries that led to Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh being left out?
