SA-born player chooses playing for All Blacks over Springboks

This SA-born player was born in Pretoria. However, he has decided to pursue playing for the All Blacks over the Springboks.

SA-born scrumhalf Jordi Viljoen has signed for the Hurricanes and is now eligible for All Blacks selection.

Furthermore, his father, Joggie (Viljoen), represented the Springboks before. Ironically, his son has gone against the grain and he is living and playing in NZ. Interestingly, he is now eligible for selection for the All Blacks. So, we could see a Springbok-All Blacks father-son duo make history.

ALL BLACKS OVER SPRINGBOKS FOR SA-BORN SCRUMHALF

Viljoen was born in Pretoria. Meaning, he could have pursued playing for the Springboks.

However, Viljoen has instead chosen to live and play in NZ. Many young SA boys dream of facing the Haka. However, Viljoen sees himself performing the traditional, war dance. In fact, he has just signed his first-ever full-time contract with the Hurricanes.

“It’s a massive blessing for me to sign with the Hurricanes, it’s been an amazing season on and off the field. To be able to follow in my dad’s footsteps and pave my own path has been an absolute privilege,” 

“Coming through the Hurricanes pathway, this has always been a goal of mine, so to be able to commit for the next two seasons is awesome,” Viljoen stated on RugbyPass.

SOUTH AFRICAN BLOOD COULD DON NZ JERSEY IN THE FUTURE

Moreover, his dad played for the Hurricanes but chose to represent his country of birth, South Africa.

“Viljoen’s father Joggie played for the Hurricanes during the Super Rugby season in 2000. Four years earlier, the Port Elizabeth-born talent had played three matches on a Springboks tour but none of them were Tests,” the same publication stated.

Therefore, his son, Jordie, could become the first SA-born player to represent the All Blacks in the future. In fact, he has already represented NZ at junior level having played for the U20s last season.