Rassie on England-Mngomezulu links: I don’t care what Eddie says

Sacha Mngomezulu led the Junior Springboks to an unbeaten campaign in this year’s European Summer Series, and has quickly transitioned into the Stormers senior setup with immediate success.

Viewed by many as a player with all the potential to feature prominently for the Boks in the future, reports have now emerged to suggest England head coach Eddie Jones is interested in the prospects of the 20-year-old.

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Mngomezulu holds a British passport through his father, but he is contracted to the Stormers until 2025, and has previously expressed his desire to play for the Springboks.

It seems highly unlikely that the youngster would ever consider switching allegiances at this early stage of his career, but reports of being on the England radar certainly have been noted in South African rugby circles.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Rassie Erasmus indicated that Mngomezulu was in the national picture, while downplaying any talk that they would be worried about Eddie Jones’ apparent interest in the youngster.

“Sacha has a very good chance of being selected for the SA A squad, but I need to say that we will never try and convince someone who wants to play for another country to stay. It must be his own decision that he wants to play for the Springboks,” Erasmus said.

“He must also be so proud to play for the Springboks and willing to fight his way to the top. If he qualifies for both, and rather wants to represent England I would be surprised, first of all, but then it is tough.

“So in that regard, I don’t care what Eddie says about it, it is what Sacha says.”

Mngomezulu is a key member of the Stormers squad

The talk of interest from England has also been downplayed by Stormers coach John Dobson.

“As far as I know, he’s got an English passport. He certainly didn’t queue as long as us coming into Heathrow,” joked Dobson in a media conference last Thursday.

“But he’s under contract to Western Province until 2025. I can’t see that [the England move] being a realistic possibility for him. We’ve had a chat to him about the rumours but, no, I think Sacha’s staying put.”

REPORT: EDDIE JONES LOOKING TO LURE ‘FUTURE BOK’ TO ENGLAND

Eddie Jones attempts to lure South African prodigy to Englandhttps://t.co/YvUP0ZWbaa

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) October 12, 2022

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PLAYERS INVITED TO BOKS’ TRAINING CAMP:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (both DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks)

Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks)

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers)

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)

Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks)

Flyhalf: Johan Goosen (Vodacom Bulls)

Centres: Jesse Kriel (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Sbu Nkosi (Vodacom Bulls)

Utility Back: Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)

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