Which SA-born ‘foreigner’ do Boks need to win RWC 2023?

After a groundbreaking World Rugby council vote has allowed Test players to switch nationality once in their career, which South African-born player would you bring back to play for the Springboks at the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

On Wednesday, the council voted to amend World Rugby’s eligibility rules to allow players to change Test teams during their career after a three-year stand-down period and providing they have “a genuine, close, credible and established national link” to the country they now wish to represent (such as having a parent or grandparent who was born there).

HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW!

The revised eligibility regulations will apply from 1 January 2022.

While the law will undoubtedly benefit the Pacific Island nations – Tonga can now select former All Blacks fullback Charles Piutau and former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau – the Springboks may also be able to benefit in some way.

South Africa has been the target of an annual player exodus, with many of these players going on to represent other nations such as Scotland, Ireland, England, France and Japan.

SARugbymag.co.za gives you the opportunity to call one of 10 overseas-capped South African-born players back to boost the Springboks in 2023.

Should Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe return to add some considerable bulk on the wing? Could the Boks use the experience of veteran France scrumhalf Rory Kockott? Or perhaps CJ Stander could come out of retirement and add more depth in the back row?

This poll has ended (since 2 years).
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
46.25%
CJ Stander (Ireland)
27.06%
Paul Willemse (France)
9.32%
Rory Kockott (France)
4.78%
Kotaro Matsushima (Japan)
3.61%
Lappies Labuschagne (Japan)
3.30%
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
2.96%
Bernard le Roux (France)
1.70%
Shane Gates (Japan)
0.56%
Marcel Brache (USA)
0.46%

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