Springboks scrap eligibility rule for players abroad

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has confirmed that new Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will be allowed to select any overseas-based player for the Springboks this season - regardless of how many test caps they currently have.

‘Rassie is in his last year of preparation before the World Cup, so he can select any overseas-based player,’ said Alexander.

‘He has just 18 Tests in which to prepare for the World Cup, so we gave him grace. Rassie has already spoken to a few players who are playing overseas.’

Former Springbok coach Allister Coetzee was restricted to overseas-based players who had earned 30 or more Test caps.