The South African ready to switch allegiance and solve England’s midfield issues

It is, perhaps, a measure of the quality of a sportsperson when a governing body is prepared to bend, break or challenge the rules in order to select them. Ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recognised that, in Jofra Archer, they had a special talent; the problem was that their own residency regulations meant that England were unable to select him until the winter of 2022. Those rules were relaxed; Archer became available ; World Cup success and a captivating Ashes introduction followed.

It is hard to foresee Benhard Janse van Rensburg making quite such an eye-catching impact this summer, not least with the stakes slightly lower than that glorious cricketing period, but the 29-year-old centre nonetheless occupies a similar spot to Archer seven years ago. Until last year, it appeared that his involvement with the Under-20s national team in his native South Africa in 2016 would render talk of a possible switch of allegiance to England moot; a single appearance off the bench for the age-grade Springboks against Argentina after a late call-up to the squad capturing him forever. But the Rugby Football Union (RFU) felt that unfair and lobbied World Rugby to change their stance – successfully, as it happens.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg started his career in his native South Africa (Getty) As of 8 July, the Pretoria-born midfielder will have served the five-year period of residency to render himself eligible for England across stints at London Irish and Bristol Bears . In that time, he has been one of the Gallagher Prem’s most consistent performers; when Steve Borthwick names his first training squad ahead of the Nations Championship on Monday lunchtime, it is expected that Janse van Rensburg may well be in it. One’s stance on the matter would probably reflect a broader personal view – there are those who argue, with a degree of coherence, that nations should only select those born, bred and brought through within their own borders.

That, perhaps, is an antiquated view; one’s national identity can be complex and considered. One cannot doubt that Janse van Rensburg has added huge value to English rugby, and could now provide significant impact for the national team. Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been a consistent performer in the Prem for several seasons (Getty) Comfortable at inside or outside centre – and, in a pinch, at fly half – Janse van Rensburg blends handling dexterity with carrying punch and the sort of rounded defensive skillset required of the modern midfielder.