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Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been named in Steve Borthwick's 42-man training group for the Nations Championship tour despite not becoming England-eligible until July 8, four days after the opening fixture against South Africa.
The 29-year-old Bristol Bears centre required special dispensation from World Rugby to join the squad under residency rules, meaning he will miss the Springboks clash but could debut against Fiji or feature in the non-cap warm-up against a France XV in Vannes on June 19.
The move highlights England's thin midfield options heading into a six-Test summer, with Borthwick willing to navigate the administrative window to secure a player who qualifies via the three-year residency pathway rather than heritage.
World Rugby's approval fast-tracks Janse van Rensburg's integration into camp, though the waiver does not alter his eligibility date — a distinction that matters for cap-binding but not for training access.
It is the latest instance of northern unions leveraging residency loopholes ahead of eligibility locks, a practice that draws recurring criticism but remains compliant under current regulations.
As reported by SA Rugby Magazine · Read the full article →