Prem will make Boks better says Benhard
JAKE White has urged the Springboks to stop picking overseas-based talent but Benhard Janse van Rensburg has no regrets about joining the Premiership’s ever-growing South African legion.
The skilful 25-year-old centre insists he has no intention to return to play club rugby back in his home land for some time having signed a three-year deal with London Irish. Indeed, he has become such an instant part of the Exiles family that he hopes his new experience will be for much longer.
Van Rensburg has fitted happily into his new life at Brentford Community Stadium having switched from Japanese side NEC Green Rockets, where he played alongside Saracens’ Alex Goode, during the summer.
He has linked up again with former Cheetahs coach Corniel van Zyl in West London and has been able to catch up with some friendly faces with so many fellow countrymen scattered around UK clubs.
So it’s no surprise van Rensburg believes the positive way forward for South African players is to play in what he says is the most competitive club league in the world. And, that former national coach White’s suggestions that South Africa should turn the clock back to the days when they picked only home-based players in a bid to keep the talent from moving abroad, will stuntBok development.
Van Rensburg, who is still hoping to win a senior international cap having played at U20 level, said: “While I am still young I want to play competitive rugby. That’s why you come to the UK or may be go to Japan. If you stay in South Africa you are only going to play against four teams and you get used to them quickly
“It will never be as competitive as it is in the UK because you won’t be playing against 11 or 12 other teams. Also over here the team ranked 13 still has a chance to beat the team ranked No1. It all depends on the game day.
“It’s always a new challenge. And when you are in those situations you get better and better.
“I want to play here for as long as I can. I signed for three years and I’m hoping if things go well that it will be longer than that.
“When I made the decision to come to the UK I had a chat with Alex Goode and Australian Andy Kellaway, who played for Northampton. They said what a great competition the Premiership is, and that made me even more excited about coming over.
“The tough competition has lived up to my expectations and I’m really enjoying it. There are so many players from different nationalities, and a lot of South Africans, so it is easy as an outsider to fit in quickly.
“I’ve linked up again with Corniel van Zyl, who was with me at Cheetahs. He was excited about me joining but only because he wanted a golf partner! I also have a lot of friends at Sale and Leicester.
“Irish play the same kind of exciting brand of rugby as the Cheetahs. I used to always watch the Premiership highlights with my brother, and I noticed Irish almost always scored four or more tries. So that was appealing! We just need to stop other teams scoring four against us!”