Benhard Janse van Rensburg should not be in the England team, says Danny Kerr

Former England scrum-half Danny Kerr has criticized the selection of South African-born Benhard Janse van Rensburg in England’s training squad for this summer’s Tests.

Janse van Rensburg played 20 minutes for South Africa under-20s in 2016, but was withdrawn in 2016. He was approved to play for England Following an appeal by the Rugby Football Union last November.

The Bristol Bears center became eligible for England under World Rugby’s five-year residency rule on July 8 and was named as one of four centers as head coach. Steve Borthwick’s 42 strong training team.

In the year The 29-year-old, who has moved to England to play for London Irish in 2021, will be in camp next week at the expense of Bath pair Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh.

“It doesn’t sit right with me to take the chance of Max Ojomoh or Ollie Lawrence,” Kerr told the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

“They[England]don’t like the personality or the technique of those players but they are two young English boys who dream of playing for England.

“I know Janse van Rensburg has been here for five years and is eligible for residency, but I think playing international rugby should be more exclusive than that.”

Lawrence has been hampered by injury and Ojomoh, despite being named man of the match against Argentina in November, does not seem to fit into Borthwick’s plans.

England are looking for a centre-forward to replace Manu Tulagi from 2024 and believe Janse Van Rensburg can fill the gap.

The center will not be fit to face South Africa in Johannesburg on July 4, but will be available to play in the opening round of this summer’s Nations Championship against Fiji on July 11 and Argentina on July 18.