Double World Cup winners make ‘top level’ claim as Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s international future is considered
Benhard Janse van Rensburg is being considered for England
Double World Cup winners Steven Kitshoff and Trevor Nyakane have claimed that they’re “happy” for Benhard Janse van Rensburg after his recent call-up to the England training camp.
Speaking on the newly created podcast, For The Love Of Rugby South Africa, Kitshoff explained: “He openly said he would have loved to play for (South) Africa and never got an opportunity, and he’s getting an opportunity to play international rugby, even though it’s for England.
“He still wants to represent at the top level and wants to play the highest level of rugby, so I think it’s great for him.
“I think similar to what happened to Kyle Steyn for Scotland, they’re all representing different nations, but at the top level.”
Playing at the top level
Sharks prop Nyakane has had his own success at the highest level, earning 65 caps for his nation, and understands why Janse van Rensburg has made the switch.
“Every rugby player wants to compete against the best,” he stated.
“You want to be able to say, ‘I played against the best in our sport right now’. And international rugby is the top level.”
The duo have a combined 148 international caps between them. Yet, the aforementioned Janse van Rensburg has failed to achieve top-level honours, despite head coach Rassie Erasmus keeping a close eye on the Bristol Bears star in recent times.
“The man is getting an opportunity, and it is well deserved because he’s been playing some brilliant rugby,” Nyakane continued.
“Whether it comes from South Africa or it comes from Australia or England, the man’s got an opportunity. Let him go out there and live his dream. So I’m happy for him.”
“Silly not to take the opportunity”
Fans have been split on the possibility of calling up the South African-born star ever since he was first announced in England’s recent training squad. But most supporters appear to believe that, from a personal standpoint, he’s best off taking the opportunity.
Commenting on social media, one fan said: “Ultimately, it’s about international rugby. Of course, he’d have wanted to be picked for SA, but at least he’ll experience that next level of training, facilities, even the food prep and all at international level and of course the whole atmosphere of it, so fair play to him, it has to be done.”
Another added that he would be “silly not to take the opportunity.”
Not everyone believes that the 19-year-old has what it takes to make the full squad, however. One supporter suggested that others are more suited to selection, saying: “There are better English 13’s, so I really don’t think he gets capped. Joe Marchant is coming back to England and I think the best 13 we’ve got! Then you’ve got Lawrence and Slade who I’d play ahead of him, and then you back even deeper, and I’d build for the future and give Beard (when fit) and Seb Aktinson as much game time as possible.”