NATIONAL TEAMS
World Rugby extends Test eligibility period
World Rugby has confirmed sweeping changes to its eligibility policy which will have a significant effect on South African rugby, writes Craig Ra
World Rugby has confirmed sweeping changes to its eligibility policy which will have a significant effect on South African rugby, writes Craig Ray. The World Rugby Council passed amendments to regulation eight of its constitution in Kyoto‚ Japan. Under the amended law‚ a player can qualify for a country if he serves a consecutive five-year (60-month) residency period instead of a consecutive three-year (36-month) duration. There is a grace period before the change kicks in‚ with the amendment effective from December 31 2020. This means South Africans who are uncapped Springboks or Junior Springboks (SA’s two nominated representative national teams) and are hoping to qualify for Test eligibility for another country would need to take up new contracts in 2017. Stormers prop Oli Kebble‚ who will join Scottish club Glasgow Warriors later in 2017 ‚ is an example. His three-year eligi-bility period to play for Scotland would end in time for the 2019 November Tests‚ when Scotland could sel...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.