SA-born loose forward Jacques Vermeulen has expressed frustration over World Rugby stipulations that bar him from representing England.

The former DHL Western Province and Sharks powerhouse qualifies for eligibility through residency after five years with the Exeter Chiefs.

But according to World Rugby, Vermeulen, who played for the Junior Boks in 2014 and 2015, is ineligible because South Africa’s U20s were designated as the country’s second senior national team during that period.

Under the regulations at the time, players who competed for a country’s “second team” were tied to that nation, provided they played against another designated second team.

“How can they say that when you were 19 or 20 and played for your country’s U20s, you’re tied for life? It’s been 10 years,” the 29-year-old Vermeulen told BBC Radio Devon.

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World Rugby updated its rules in 2018, barring U20 teams from being designated second national teams. However, the changes were not retroactive. SA Rugby confirmed that the Junior Boks were South Africa’s second team from 2013 to 2017, making Vermeulen ineligible.

In contrast, players like Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe, also a former Junior Bok, remain eligible because their matches fell outside these restrictions.

World Rugby defended its approach, citing fairness and consistency, with spokesperson Dominic Rumbles stating that retroactive changes would be “problematic”.

Vermeulen’s camp has reportedly engaged with World Rugby, though no resolution is in sight.

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