England coach Steve Borthwick could call upon some South African muscle to bolster his midfield options ahead of the new international season.
This as Pretoria-born centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg is set to become available for England selection in July.
The 29-year-old Bristol Bears midfielder will qualify for England on 8 July, making him eligible for the Nations Championship clash against Fiji three days later.
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That means Janse van Rensburg will miss England’s opening Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg, but he could feature in an uncapped warm-up fixture against a France XV before making his Test debut.
The powerful inside centre has been one of the standout performers for Bristol and is viewed as a potential solution to one of England’s most problematic positions.
Borthwick has rotated several players through the No 12 jersey, but none have made the role their own.
Janse van Rensburg, who has not played Test rugby for South Africa, qualifies through residency after spending five years in England.
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