Plan in place to make Japan-based Springboks available for England Test

SA Rugby has reportedly sent a request to the Japan Rugby Union for their clubs to release seven – maybe more – Springboks for their end-of year Test against England at Twickenham.

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As the Saturday, 26 November Test against Eddie Jones’ England side falls outside World Rugby’s official Test window, the Springboks will be without the majority of their squad – unless an agreement can be reached.

Sunday’s Rapport newspaper reported that a request has been made for seven Springboks currently playing in Japan to be made available.

They are Pieter-Steph du Toit, Willie le Roux (both Toyota Verblitz), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) and Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs).

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That list could increase to 10 if Faf de Klerk, Lood de Jager (both Sale Sharks) and Damian de Allende (Munster) end up joining Japanese clubs in the coming days after The South African website confirmed that all three would be leaving their respective European clubs at the end of the season.

The England Test is the last on the Springboks’ 2022 end-of-year tour and coach Jacques Nienaber will have to make do without a host of players who currently play in Europe.

These include, among others, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Handre Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe, Joseph Dweba, RG Snyman, Jasper Wiese and Marco van Staden.

England have already reached an agreement with clubs

Meanwhile, England have already reached an agreement with the Premiership clubs to have all of their top players available for the match.

Besides the England match, the Springboks will also play Ireland, France and Italy on their end-of-year tour later this year.

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