Steve Borthwick has another South African-born star available to England as he continues building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Harlequins full-back Tyrone Green is now England-qualified after moving to the PREM from the Lions in South Africa in 2020.
The 28-year-old represented South Africa at U20 level but has never played for the senior Springboks. His five-year residency period has now been completed, putting him firmly on England’s radar.
RUCK recently included Green in our XV of South African-born stars qualified to represent other nations, with a strong start to the new PREM season potentially putting him in Steve Borthwick’s thoughts.
It comes after Bristol Bears centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg was cleared to represent England, despite previously appearing for South Africa U20.
The RFU successfully took Janse van Rensburg’s case to World Rugby, with the centre subsequently becoming available through residency. He was called into Borthwick’s England squad earlier this year before making his Test debut during the summer.
Green gets his opportunity
Green could now get an immediate opportunity to catch Borthwick’s eye.
He looks set to be in contention to start at full-back in Harlequins’ PREM opener against Bath after George Furbank suffered a concussion just over a minute into his club debut against Edinburgh.
Furbank was able to walk from the field but is expected to miss the Bath clash while completing the return-to-play process.
Green, meanwhile, is already getting plenty of time in the number 15 shirt. He started at full-back in Harlequins’ PREM Rugby Cup opener against Leicester Tigers earlier this month.
He isn't the only overseas-born player Borthwick could have on his radar.
Overseas stars available to England
1. Tyrone Green – Harlequins
Born in Johannesburg, Green established himself with the Lions before making the move to Harlequins in 2020.
He has since passed 100 appearances for Quins and played an important role in their 2021 title triumph.
Green has previously spoken about his ambition to represent the Springboks, but England has emerged as another possible international route following the completion of his residency period.
With Furbank temporarily sidelined, the opening weeks of the PREM season could provide Green with a significant opportunity to make his case.
2. Pouri Rakete-Stones – Newcastle Red Bulls
This could be one of the most intriguing options available to Borthwick.
Former Hurricanes prop Pouri Rakete-Stones is England-qualified through his maternal grandparents and has already publicly stated his ambition to play for the country.
The 28-year-old has represented the Māori All Blacks and All Blacks XV without winning a senior New Zealand cap.
Speaking to RugbyPass about his England ambitions, Rakete-Stones made his intentions clear.
“I’m definitely aiming to play for that England team.”
He arrives in the PREM with more than 50 Super Rugby appearances behind him and can operate on both sides of the scrum.
3. Hoskins Sotutu – Newcastle Red Bulls
The blockbuster name on the list.
Hoskins Sotutu won 14 caps for the All Blacks between 2020 and 2022 and was part of the Blues side that won the Super Rugby Pacific title in 2024.
However, he hasn't represented New Zealand since 2022.
The powerful number eight has an English mother, providing a potential route to representing England under World Rugby’s international transfer regulations following the required stand-down period.
Sotutu also qualifies for Fiji through his father, former Fiji international Waisake Sotutu.
His arrival at Newcastle means Borthwick will be able to watch him closely in the PREM throughout the season.
4. Max Hicks – Newcastle Red Bulls
Another new arrival at Kingston Park who could be worth watching.
Auckland-born Max Hicks has played Super Rugby for the Highlanders and has also represented the Māori All Blacks.
The 26-year-old can operate at lock or in the back row and spent time in France with Perpignan before becoming part of Newcastle's huge summer rebuild.
Hicks was among a remarkable group of new arrivals that also included Sotutu, Rakete-Stones, George Turner and Argentina international Franco Molina.
Rugby World’s Newcastle season preview highlights just how extensively the Red Bulls have rebuilt their squad ahead of the new campaign.
5. Harry Johnson-Holmes – Harlequins
Former Wallabies prop Harry Johnson-Holmes has openly declared his interest in representing England after joining Harlequins.
The 29-year-old won his only Australia cap against South Africa in 2019, having been handed a late call-up before packing down against the Springboks.
However, Johnson-Holmes has now revealed that he is England-qualified through his mother, who is from Scarborough.
Speaking to The Rugby Paper, he said: “I’m English qualified with my mum being from Scarborough. So, perhaps, Steve Borthwick might come around me a bit more than the Wallabies did!”
Johnson-Holmes added that he was proud to represent Australia but admitted injuries prevented him from adding to his solitary cap.
Having not represented the Wallabies since 2019, he has comfortably completed World Rugby's three-year stand-down period. His English family connection potentially provides the ancestry requirement for an international transfer, subject to World Rugby approval.
And he isn't hiding his interest.
“The door to play Test rugby isn’t shut but it is not what motivates or drives me,” he said.
Johnson-Holmes joined Harlequins ahead of the 2026/27 campaign and can play on both sides of the scrum.
He even revealed that he had previously considered moving to the PREM earlier in his career, but remained in Australia in the hope of earning another Wallabies opportunity.
