Marius Joubert is disappointed that England’s South African midfield recruit Benhard Janse van Rensburg won’t get the chance to face the Springboks at Ellis Park next week.
The 29-year-old, who previously represented the Junior Springboks and played for the Leopards, Sharks and Cheetahs, has been included in England’s squad for the upcoming Nations Championship Tests against the Springboks, Fiji and Argentina.
However, Janse van Rensburg will not be eligible for the 4 July clash in Johannesburg.
Although he featured off the bench for an England XV against a France XV in Vannes last weekend, he only qualifies to represent England through residency on 8 July, five years after moving to the UK.
That means his Test debut is likely to come against Fiji in Liverpool on 11 July.
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Joubert, a former Springbok centre who earned 30 Test caps, said he would have loved to see how Janse van Rensburg measured up against the Bok midfield.
“I believe he would have liked the opportunity to prove a point against South Africa’s centres,” Joubert told Netwerk24.
“He’s definitely not someone who takes a backward step in contact situations.”
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England have struggled to settle on a long-term midfield combination under coach Steve Borthwick, with a number of partnerships tried since his appointment in 2022.
Joubert believes Janse van Rensburg could become part of the solution.
“I am surprised they selected him at 29 because teams usually look towards younger players for the future.
“But he deserves his inclusion after a very good season with the Bristol Bears.”
Photo: Franco Arland/Getty Images
The post Ex-Bok on Benhard: He’d want to prove a point appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Marius Joubert is disappointed that England’s South African midfield recruit Benhard Janse van Rensburg won’t get the chance to face the Springboks at Ellis Park next week.
The post Ex-Bok on Benhard: He’d want to prove a point appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
