Former All Blacks wing Mark Tele’a could become a shock Springboks international after reports confirmed he will be eligible to represent South Africa under World Rugby's nationality regulations.
The explosive outside back, who won 19 Test caps for New Zealand, is understood to qualify for the Springboks through his South African-born father. After stepping away from the All Blacks, Tele’a is now on course to become eligible for South Africa in time for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
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Why Tele'a can switch nations
World Rugby's updated eligibility laws allow players to change international allegiance once if they:
Tele'a satisfies the ancestry requirement through his father, meaning his three-year stand-down period is now the only hurdle before he could pull on the green and gold.
A huge boost for Rassie Erasmus?
While there has been no indication that Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has approached Tele'a, the prospect of adding one of world rugby's most dangerous finishers will inevitably spark excitement among South African supporters.
Tele'a burst onto the Test scene in 2022 and quickly established himself as one of the All Blacks' most potent attacking weapons, combining blistering pace with outstanding footwork and remarkable strength in contact.
He was a key member of New Zealand's squad during the 2023 Rugby World Cup and scored some memorable tries in black before his international career came to an end.
The Springboks are already stacked
South Africa are hardly short of options out wide, with Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Makazole Mapimpi all featuring prominently under Erasmus.
The world champions have also continued to build depth, recently naming a 43-man squad for their upcoming Rugby Championship fixtures against Argentina and New Zealand.
Whether Tele'a eventually receives a call-up remains to be seen, but the possibility of a former All Black lining up for the Springboks would rank among the most remarkable international switches rugby has ever seen.
Editors Picks:
Springboks handed toughest route to 2027 Rugby World Cup final
South Africa's quest for an unprecedented third successive Rugby World Cup title is beginning to take shape after the 2027 tournament draw was confirmed.
Rassie Erasmus' side have been handed a favourable pool on paper, but the knockout stages promise far tougher challenges. We take a look at the Springboks' projected route to the final and the obstacles standing between them and more history.
Pool stage draw
South Africa have been placed in Pool B alongside Italy, Georgia and Romania.
It looks like a favourable draw for the reigning world champions, with Italy expected to be their biggest rival for first place. Georgia's physical approach and Romania's powerful set piece should still demand respect, but South Africa will expect to top the group.
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Round of 16
The Springboks are currently projected to face the runner-up from Pool E, which is likely to be Japan or the USA depending on how that group develops.
Either side would be viewed as a manageable opponent, although South Africa will not have forgotten their famous defeat to Japan in 2015. They should still be expected to progress comfortably.
Quarter-finals
A quarter-final against one of the leading Tier 1 nations appears most likely, with New Zealand or Australia the probable opponents. England are an outside possibility, but that would require them to finish third in their pool, making that scenario unlikely.
Pool A is expected to be won by either New Zealand or Australia. While the All Blacks look stronger on paper, Australia will benefit from home advantage. Whoever emerges will provide South Africa's first major challenge of the tournament.
Semi-finals
The most likely opponents would come from the top half of Pool E, with France, Ireland, Argentina and Scotland all potential contenders. If results go as expected, France are the team most likely to reach this stage.
Although Les Bleus have occasionally found southern hemisphere opposition difficult, their world class talent makes them one of the strongest teams in the competition and a serious obstacle.
Final
England are the most likely opponents if South Africa reach the final, although New Zealand cannot be ruled out. England, Ireland and Argentina all appear well placed to come through the opposite side of the draw.
If the All Blacks fail to win their pool, they would also only be able to face the Springboks in the final.
Predicted Springboks World Cup route:
Pool Stage: 1st
Round of 16: Japan
Quarter-final: New Zealand
Semi-final: France
Final: England
Round of 16: Japan
Quarter-final: New Zealand
Semi-final: France
Final: England
2027 World Cup Draw
Pool A
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Chile
- Hong Kong
Pool B
- South Africa
- Italy
- Georgia
- Romania
Pool C
- Argentina
- Fiji
- Spain
- Canada
Pool D
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Uruguay
- Portugal
Pool E
- France
- Japan
- USA
- Samoa
Pool F
- England
- Wales
- Tonga
- Zimbabwe
Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players
From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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