A decision by World Rugby to extend the date of the ending of their three-year eligibility rule to 31 December 2021 has opened the door for several Northern Hemisphere countries to 'cap and capture' a number of players in the next 15 months.
During May 2017 it was announced that the time a player had to have been in residence in his adopted country was reduced from five years to three. World Rugby announced that they have been forced to delay the cut off as the coronavirus pandemic, and the resulting disruption to rugby seasons, has meant many players will not have had opportunities to be capped.
“The residency criteria outlined in the regulation is due to increase from 36 consecutive months to 60 consecutive months on December 31, 2020. In order to be eligible on that basis, players must meet the residency requirement and have represented their union before the cut-off date."
“Due to the disruption to the international calendar caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, playing opportunities have been significantly affected across the sport’s 127 member unions and eligible players may have been prevented from representing a based onsis of 36 months residency by the scheduled cut-off date and would therefore automatically move into the 60-month requirement."
“In light of these exceptional circumstances, the Executive Committee, having consulted with unions and International Rugby Players, determined it was appropriate to extend the 36-month residency requirement set out in Regulation 8 to December 31, 2021."
“The Executive Committee also confirmed that a player must meet both the 36 months residency requirement and have represented the union on or before December 31, 2021, otherwise the player will fall under the 60-month rule.”
Several South African players will now be eligible for their "new" countries a lot sooner. Most notable is Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman who will be eligible for Scotland in the middle of next year, rather than in 2023. One can even see Pierre being selected for the British & Irish Rugby tour to South Africa should it be moved to a later date.
One can not help to wonder if this is not just another reward by Bill Beaumont to the nations that voted for him during World Rugby's presidential election earlier this year as it is mostly in England and France where yet uncapped South Africans, Australian, New Zealanders and Pacific Island players are playing in the Premiership and Top 14 who could potentially come into selection reckoning.