Juarno Augustus is expected to suffer the same fate as several of his former Junior Springbok teammates, who will reportedly be ruled ineligible to represent England by World Rugby’s qualification rules.
Overseas-based former Junior Boks such as Augustus, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Hanro Liebenberg, Jacques Vermeulen, Jeremy Ward and Ernst van Rhyn – who represented South Africa at U20 level between 2015 and 2017 – are permanently tied to the country, according to Rapport.
In contrast, those who played before or after, like Scotland internationals Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe (2014), and Harlequins star Tyrone Green (2018), can still qualify to represent foreign countries.
Augustus has made a lasting impression in 74 appearances in the Premiership since joining Northampton from the Stormers in 2021. The Tygerberg High old boy was a potent force for South Africa in Georgia at the 2017 Junior World Championship where he led the tournament with seven tries and was later crowned World Rugby’s Junior Player of the Year.
Like Augustus, Janse van Rensburg has been in outstanding form in England, where his ability to play across the Bristol Bears backline, coupled with a powerful running game and playmaking skills, has made him a standout in the Premiership.
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His versatility and consistency saw him linked to a potential England call-up, making the World Rugby ruling even more frustrating for him.
Janse van Rensburg, who played just 20 minutes for the SA U20s in 2016, told Rapport: “If I never play international rugby, I’ll still be happy with what I’ve achieved.”
His agency, In Touch Sports, is reportedly investigating the matter, but World Rugby’s stance leaves little room for appeal.
World Rugby’s head of communications Dominic Rumbles told Rapport that the rules were established in consultation with unions and players’ associations, with education provided on the changes.
The regulation states that since 1 July 2014, any player in the Junior World Championship, Junior World Trophy, or U20 Six Nations is considered “captured,” regardless of opposition.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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The same fate awaits the likes of Juarno Augustus as Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who will reportedly be denied from representing England by World Rugby’s qualification rules.
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