Ever since Rassie Erasmus returned to the helm of the Springboks, he made it clear that the SA Rugby model would only work if players were allowed to ply their trade overseas while remaining available to the national side.

Some of the leading Springbok players continue to make a massive impact for their overseas-based clubs, and it certainly provides a strong indication of how much talent there is.

In this hypothetical article, we select a Springbok side including only overseas-based players, and even without a host of local stars, it is a team that would still be the envy of many international outfits.

Take a look at our ‘overseas-based’ Springbok team

15 Dillyn Leyds (La Rochelle, France), 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Sagamihara DynaBoars, Japan), 13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles, Japan), 12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights, Japan), 11 Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath, Japan), 10 Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers, England), 9 Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles, Japan), 8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks, Japan), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz, Japan), 6 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs, Japan), 5 Franco Mostert (Honda Heat, Japan), 4 RG Snyman (Leinster, Ireland), 3 Thomas du Toit (Bath, England), 2 Malcom Marx (Kubota Spears, Japan), 1 Khutha Mchune (Sagamihara Dynaboars, Japan).

The strength of this hypothetical team certainly indicates the strength of South African rugby, especially considering that the likes of Cobus Reinach (Montpellier France), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights, Japan) and Jean Kleyn (Munster, Ireland) haven’t even been included.

Next week, a group of 26 players consisting mainly of overseas-based players, will take part in two virtual Springbok alignment sessions – one with the Japanese-based players and the other with the players playing in the northern hemisphere and domestically.

“It is vital for us that all the players on our radar are exposed to our plans and goals for the season, so we intend to replicate our presentations to the (local) group in Cape Town with these players, so everyone is on the same page as we embark on this challenging season,” said Rassie Erasmus.

“With a wide group of players invited to the respective alignment camps, we are excited to grow our player base and expose all these individuals to the national structures, as well as to explain what our expectations are of them for the forthcoming season.

“Many of these players have won a World Cup before, but we made it clear before the 2023 showpiece in France that we have to continue adapting and improving to remain at the top of our game – not only this season but also as we build toward the 2027 World Cup in Australia.”

Players invited to the virtual Springbok alignment camps (in alphabetical order): Kurt-Lee Arendse (Dynaboars), Damian de Allende, Lood de Jager (both Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez (both Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Trevor Nyakane (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Siya Masuku (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Jonathan Roche (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Nico Steyn (Emirates Lions), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE TEAM OF OVERSEAS-BASED PLAYERS?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/picking-a-springbok-team-of-only-overseas-based-players/