Andre Esterhuizen delivered an honest message to South African players who choose to represent other countries, with Scotland, this weekend’s opponents, having benefited from that trend more than most.
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Scotland have the highest number of foreign-born players in any Nations Championship squad, with 15 of their 36-man group born outside the country.
South African-born trio Pierre Schoeman, Duhan van der Merwe and Nathan McBeth all represented South Africa at age grade level, while Kyle Steyn was also born in South Africa.
Speaking before the Springboks’ 32-15 victory over Scotland in 2024, Esterhuizen admitted he struggles to understand why a player would choose not to fight to represent the country of their birth.
“I’d much rather have my 18 caps for the Springboks than 70 caps for a different country that I’m not actually born in,” Esterhuizen told reporters.
“Obviously, a lot of people have different views about that but, for me, I’m South African. I love this country and this team. I’m very content with where I’m at.
“I’m always striving to be better, to play more, to get into the squad more. Damian is there, Lukhanyo [Am] is there – there’s so many players that can play 12, that can play not just stand-in at 12 but can play a great game at 12. So it’s also very healthy for the squad. The competition between each other will drive each other to get better.
“So yeah, I would have loved to have played more. But I’ve worked hard – worked a lot harder on my discipline and stuff through the years, getting better at that.”
While firm in his own views, Esterhuizen stressed that he respects the choices other players make and acknowledged his perspective is shaped by having had the chance to pursue a Springboks career from a young age.
“It’s obviously a personal opinion. I can’t speak for them as they obviously made the decision on their own. I think some players just decide young to leave the country and when the opportunity comes they’re probably not going to say no,” he added.
“It’s also easy for me to say it in hindsight. If I left earlier and that opportunity came I don’t know what I would have done, but at the moment where I am now I’m very happy with my 18 or 19 or 20 caps.
“For them it’s a career decision. You also need to make money out of rugby. So, there’s two different sides to it.”
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Every Nations Championship squad ranked by foreign-born players – from least to most
Using information and research from Americas Rugby News, we have ranked all 12 Nations Championship squads from the lowest percentage of foreign-born players to the highest.
It is important to note that foreign-born does not necessarily mean a player was developed overseas. Several players on this list moved countries as children and came through the rugby system of the nation they now represent.
12. Argentina – 0%
Foreign-born players: 0/35
Argentina are the only team in the inaugural Nations Championship with a squad made up entirely of players born and raised in the country.
Felipe Contepomi’s squad also highlights the continued growth of rugby outside its traditional Buenos Aires stronghold.
At the 2007 Rugby World Cup, 27 of Argentina’s 31 players came from Buenos Aires province. In the current squad, that figure has fallen dramatically, with Córdoba and Tucumán now producing a growing number of internationals.
Foreign-born players: None
11. South Africa – 2.17%
Foreign-born players: 1/46
Rassie Erasmus has selected just one player born outside South Africa.
Vincent Tshituka was born in Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before his family moved to South Africa when he was a child.
The flanker was entirely developed by the South African rugby system, meaning all 46 players in the Springboks squad are considered homegrown.
Foreign-born player:
- Vincent Tshituka – Democratic Republic of the Congo
10. England – 8.33%
Foreign-born players: 3/36
Steve Borthwick has selected three players born outside England, with all three featuring in the backline.
Marcus Smith was born in the Philippines and first played rugby in Singapore before moving to England aged 13.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was born and raised in Wales, while Benhard Janse van Rensburg was born and developed in South Africa before qualifying for England.
England’s entire group of forwards were born and developed in the country.
Foreign-born players:
- Marcus Smith – Philippines
- Benhard Janse van Rensburg – South Africa
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – Wales
9. Wales – 12.12%
Foreign-born players: 4/33
Steve Tandy’s squad contains four players born outside Wales.
Ben Carter was born in England but moved to Wales just weeks after his birth, while Max Llewellyn was also born in England but came through the Welsh system.
Ellis Mee was developed in England before being identified through his Welsh family connection, while Blair Murray was recruited from New Zealand.
Wales also have several players who were born in the country but developed elsewhere, including James Botham and Taine Plumtree.
Foreign-born players:
- Ben Carter – England
- Max Llewellyn – England
- Ellis Mee – England
- Blair Murray – New Zealand
