"Project players" – Steve Borthwick looking at calling up 'four South Africans' for England

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England head coach Steve Borthwick is reportedly monitoring four South African players who are on the verge of becoming eligible for the England squad through residency.

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Benhard Janse van Rensburg

South African centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg joined the Bristol Bears from London Irish following their collapse in June 2023.

The former London Irish midfielder, who can operate at inside and outside centre and also cover fly-half, made more than 50 appearances for the Exiles over two seasons, scoring 11 Premiership tries.

During the 2022/23 season, the former Free State Cheetah made six tries assists and beat 33 defenders.

Hanro Liebenberg

South African back-rower Hanro Liebenberg arrived at Leicester Tigers last summer of 2019 from the Bulls in Super Rugby.

After playing his youth-team rugby at Boland, Hanro moved to Pretoria to play in the Currie Cup with the Blues Bulls and earned his first selection for the Bulls in 2015.

He also followed in his brother Wiaan's footsteps by captaining South Africa Under-20s at the World Junior Championships where they were beaten in the semi-finals by England before picking up the bronze medals with play-off victory over France.

After starting his first season with Tigers strongly, he missed the middle section of the campaign after surgery on an ankle injury, but returned after the Covid lockdown to make 15 appearances in his debut season, playing at flanker and No8.

Jacques Vermeulen

A new face at Chiefs for the 2019/20 campaign, South African forward Jacques Vermeulen proved to have a memorable first year in Devon having joined from South African Super Rugby outfit, the Sharks.

The all-action forward, who can play at lock or in the back row, was quickly thrust into the action following his arrival, making his first team debut in a Premiership Rugby Cup encounter against Leicester Tigers, scoring a try inside the opening quarter at Welford Road.

As the season continued, Vermeulen – who started his career with Western Province – continued to impress in the Chiefs jersey, producing numerous eye-catching displays for his new club. His relentless work-rate, steely defence and his eye for the try-line all proved invaluable as he helped Chiefs to secure not only a second Premiership title, but also a maiden Champions Cup crown with victory over Racing 92 at Bristol’s Ashton Gate.

Surgery in the off-season meant he missed the opening half of the 2020/21 season, but he returned to devastating effect, helping Chiefs push forward in the defence of their titles.

Vermeulen’s work around the park, together with his aggressive defence and his ability to score tries has made him a key component of Rob Baxter's Chiefs pack.

Tyrone Green

Green joined Harlequins from the Johannesburg Lions ahead of the 2020/21 Premiership season.

A product of Jeppe High School – the same school 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White and World Cup-winning wing Sbu Nkosi attended – Green shone as a schoolboy as a fly-half but has gone on to become an electric outside back capable of tearing any defence to pieces.

Impressive at the 2018 Junior World Championship, Green made his mark on the Lions jersey during the Currie Cup and was rewarded with a Super Rugby debut in round five of the 2019 season, starting at full-back in the 36-33 victory over the Melbourne Rebels.

A rapid rise in the ranks at the Lions saw him become a regular starter on the wing and at full-back for the side making 16 appearances in Super Rugby.

Green was eased into life at the Stoop but once he got a sniff in the first team squad, the South African capitalised making 22 appearances in his debut season.

He scored eight tries in a dream first season including one against Bristol Bears in the Premiership Semi-Final. He started at full-back in the final a week later as Harlequins secured their second Premiership title.

Signed a long-term contract during the 2021/22 season.

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