The quartet of SA-born Scotland internationals who starred in the Six Nations win against England haven’t lost touch with their roots, according to MARK KEOHANE.

Duhan van der Merwe scored two stunning tries, while fellow wing Kyle Steyn showcased his aptitude for Test rugby at Twickenham last week, and they were supported upfront by props WP Nel and Pierre Schoeman.

In his TimesLIVE column, Keohane hailed their performances as the Scots retained the Calcutta Cup, and highlighted how they have all respectfully conducted themselves for their adoptive country.

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“In the late 1990s, Scotland were nicknamed the Kilted Kiwis as they had as many as seven New Zealanders in their starting XV, and the criticism was that they were only picked because of ancestry and would return to New Zealand once their international careers ended,” Keohane writes.

“Not so with three of the four South Africans that started against England, the quartet being wingers Van der Merwe and Steyn and the starting props WP Nel and Pierre Schoeman.

“All four are treated as locals and all four relate to Scotland as their home. All four also speak lovingly of South Africa and all four are regular visitors to South Africa, in the URC as players or in a personal capacity because of family living in South Africa.

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“Nel spoke of his pride in the Scotland jersey, as did the other three, but what has been as impressive each time they’ve addressed the South African-born and raised issue, is that they never speak in denial of their love for South Africa.”

Keohane also praised another South African native who played an influential role in London, albeit in the coach’s box, 70-Test-capped former France prop Pieter de Villiers.

“Post his playing career he has had coaching roles with the Springboks, but for the past few years has been the key to Scotland’s improved power scrum,” he writes.

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