The rich rugby rivalry between England and South Africa goes back a long way, especially when it comes to their players. A handful of big-name Springboks currently play in the Premiership - Andre Esterhuizen, Jasper Wiese and Handre Pollard - to name a few. But more significant is the 20 or so South African-born players who have been former England rugby players through the years, so let’s dig a little deeper and see who they are…
England Rugby Legends
Mike Catt (Fullback, Fly-Half, Centre, Wing, 75 caps, 1994-2007)
All-time England rugby legend and Rugby World Cup winner in 2003, Catt qualified through his English mother and made his England debut in 1994 two years after signing for Bath.
Matt Stevens (Prop, 39 caps, 2004-2012)
Another player who made his name at Bath, he became a favourite amongst fellow players as well as the media when he appeared on the X-Factor: Battle of the Stars. He also toured with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005 and in Australia in 2013.
Brad Barritt (Centre, 26 caps, 2012-2015)
The hard-hitting centre represented the Springboks at U21 level but qualified for England through his grandparents. Barritt was a hardworking and tough competitor who combined famously with a young Manu Tuilagi to blow away the All Blacks in 2012.
Rugby Professional Era Players
Mouritz Botha (Lock, 10 caps, 2011-2012)
Botha was drafted into the training group ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup by Stuart Lancaster but didn’t make the final 33-man squad. He went to feature in all of England’s games during the 2012 Guinness Six Nations and was a consistent performer during his 142-game career at Saracens.
David Ribbans (Lock, 10 caps, 2022-present)
Towering lock forward David Ribbans was called into the England squad in 2022 by Eddie Jones, making his debut in the 25-25 draw with New Zealand. Born in Somerset West, he came through the West Province academy system before joining Northampton Saints in 2017. He qualified to play for England on ancestry grounds.
Hendre Fourie (Flanker, 8 caps, 2010-2011)
Fourie was a hard tackler for Leeds Carnegie when they were in the Premiership. He was given his England debut by then national coach Martin Johnson in 2010, but injury ended his career in 2013.
Stuart Abbott (Centre, 9 caps, 2003-2006)
Despite Springbok Coach Rudolf Straueli’s efforts to keep him in South Africa, Abbot moved north to pursue a career as an England rugby legend for which he qualified for via his English born mother. He enjoyed a very successful career playing his part in England’s winning Rugby World Cup campaign in 2003 and playing a crucial role in the Wasps’ midfield winning the Premiership twice and the European Cup during his 100 appearances for the club.
Geoff Appleford (Centre, 1 cap, 2002)
Appleford made 75 appearances for London Irish before winning his sole England cap on England’s tour of Argentina in 2002.
Michael Horak (Fullback, 1 cap, 2002)
Like Appleford, Johannesburg born Horak was a loyal London Irish man, playing over 100 appearances for the club. His only England appearance came on the same 2002 tour of Argentina as Appleford.
The Originals: 1900s – 1930s
Frederick ‘John’ Van der Byl Hopley (Flanker, 3 caps, 1907-1908)
Hopley had many sporting high’s during a colourful career. He made is England debut in a 41-13 win over France, whilst also finding time to represent the Marylebone Cricket Club in first-class cricket and took the wicket of WG Grace on one occasion. He was also an accomplished boxer.
Reginald Harold Myburgh Hands (Forward, 2 caps, 1910)
Hands played two Tests for England, against France and Scotland, before playing Test cricket for South Africa in 1913. His rugby career was tragically cut short after being killed in action during WW1.
Jannie Krige (Centre, 1 cap, 1920)
The centre made it only England appearance in a 19-5 defeat against Wales in Swansea during the 1920 Five Nations Championship.
Frank Whitmore Mellish (Flanker, 6 caps, 1920-1921)
Mellish represented England on six occasions, including against France, Ireland, and Scotland. He went on to represent South Africa six times as well, playing against the All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions.
Thomas Francis (Centre, 4 caps, 1926)
Educated at Tonbridge School and Cambridge, Francis played against each of the home nations.
Brian Black (Lock, 10 caps, 1930-1933)
A goal-kicking lock forward in the John Eales-mould, Black also represented the British & Irish Lions, as well as the Great Britain bobsleigh team, but was sadly killed in WW2 after joining the Royal Air Force.
Harold Geoffrey ‘Tuppy’ Owen Smith (Fullback, 10 caps, 1934-1937)
Tuppy was one of Wisden’s five ‘Cricketers of the Year’ in 1929 whilst he was playing test cricket for South Africa. He went on to captain England during their wins over Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Post WW2 Players
Clive Van Ryneveld (Centre, 4 caps, 1949)
The Cape Town-born centre was a three-time Oxford Blue in the late 1940s. He won all four of his England caps in the 1949 Five Nations Championship. Another famed cricketer, he went on to captain the South African test cricket side in the 1950s.
Murray Bernard Hofmeyr (Fullback/Fly Half, 3 caps, 1950)
Oxford graduate Hofmeyr represented England in matches against Wales, France, and Scotland.
Harry Small (Flanker, 4 caps, 1950)
Another Oxford graduate, Small played against Wales, France, and Scotland, as well as Ireland.
Dylan Wilson (8 caps, 1953-1955)
Wilson served as an undercover policeman for the British Metropolitan Police and represented the British & Irish Lions (in addition to England).
Ronald Clive Ashby (Scrum Half, 3 caps, 1966-1967)
Ashby studied agriculture and spent 18 months in Antarctica, before returning to England to wear the Red Rose against Ireland, France, and Australia.
Nicholas Labuschagne (Hooker, 5 caps, 1953-1955)
In an England shirt Labuschagne beat Wales and Scotland, drew with Ireland, and then lost to France and Wales. Labuschagne is the maternal grandfather of former Springbok fly half Pat Lambie.
When are England next playing the Springboks?
It's evident that England and South Africa have a long history together when it comes to rugby, so don't miss out on such rich rugby rivalry! Keep an eye out for when England will next play South Africa on our website and watch it in style with our VIP match day experiences here.
