Joubert wants England cap

[sonnench]

Thus my point, that those who want to play for their adopted nation that has given them something their original never did should be given the opportunity if they excel and prove themselves to be the best, still stands.

Every single South African now plying their trade in England was given ''a chance'' and only by England standards was their attempt deemed good enough for National selection.

All I am saying is at the end of the day they are still South African, and only represent England because they were not good enough to play for the Boks.

 

[TRF_heineken]

That makes absolutely no sense. This has nothing to do with every single foreigner theoretically being eligible for an England jersey because not every single South African plying their trade in England wants to play for England. Even if Schalk Brits was uncapped for South Africa would still want to play for South Africa because thats the cut of that guy's gib and as he is a fantastic gentleman I respect that. However I also respect Mouritz Botha when he works the skin off his bones to force his way to the very top in England's set up because he has earnt it. He wasn't just good enough he was the best. Thus my point, that those who want to play for their adopted nation that has given them something their original never did should be given the opportunity if they excel and prove themselves to be the best, still stands. Britain is a country founded on the values of fair play, (vaguely) open immigration and meritocracy. Get over it.

And did this strike a nerve? Yes it did. The silly and frankly xenophobic idea that people should not be allowed to play for such and such a country on the basis of their original nationality, that guys like Ngwenya, Martin Castrogiovanni and D.T.H. van der Merwe should never be allowed to play for the USA, Italy and Canada will always, always rile me as a liberal and civilised member of society.

ah yes, being the Best-argument... good of you to bring it up. here's a hypothetical scenario for you:

If Mouritz Botha stayed in South Africa, he wouldn't have been the best in his position. in fact there would be 6 guys playing in South Africa alone that would be better than England's Best, as you put it.

Francois Steyn's comment after the 2007 World Cup final still sticks with me all this time. The only thing he said to the media was "Ons was man vir man beter as hulle" translated to english. "We were man for man better than them".

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

That makes absolutely no sense. This has nothing to do with every single foreigner theoretically being eligible for an England jersey because not every single South African plying their trade in England wants to play for England. Even if Schalk Brits was uncapped for South Africa would still want to play for South Africa because thats the cut of that guy's gib and as he is a fantastic gentleman I respect that. However I also respect Mouritz Botha when he works the skin off his bones to force his way to the very top in England's set up because he has earnt it. He wasn't just good enough he was the best. Thus my point, that those who want to play for their adopted nation that has given them something their original never did should be given the opportunity if they excel and prove themselves to be the best, still stands. Britain is a country founded on the values of fair play, (vaguely) open immigration and meritocracy. Get over it.

And did this strike a nerve? Yes it did. The silly and frankly xenophobic idea that people should not be allowed to play for such and such a country on the basis of their original nationality, that guys like Ngwenya, Martin Castrogiovanni and D.T.H. van der Merwe should never be allowed to play for the USA, Italy and Canada will always, always rile me as a liberal and civilised member of society.

That's a bit of a stretch LOL

 

[Teh Mite]

Oooh look, its turning like Eurovision...

 

[TRF_Cymro]

The 'Hump' agrees.

 

[racingmetrofan]

ah yes, being the Best-argument... good of you to bring it up. here's a hypothetical scenario for you:

If Mouritz Botha stayed in South Africa, he wouldn't have been the best in his position. in fact there would be 6 guys playing in South Africa alone that would be better than England's Best, as you put it.

Francois Steyn's comment after the 2007 World Cup final still sticks with me all this time. The only thing he said to the media was "Ons was man vir man beter as hulle" translated to english. "We were man for man better than them".

lawl, lets see how it goes this summer eh

 

[j'nuh]

I agree this conversation has gone on long enough, however it's not the fact England have ''foreigners'' playing for them, it's the fact there is so many.

People can't feel English/British if they've migrated to the country?

We shun these kind of comments as xenophobic in general society. God knows why the same doesn't happen in sport.

IMO, if you live here and have a small bit of pride in that, and respect it's inhabitants, then you're English/British.

 

[Peat]

What would be the point of giving a 1st cap to a 31 y/o foreigner? Complete non story, and Lancaster wouldn't pick him in a million years.

About as much point as giving one to a 30 year old geordie, or giving caps 2 onwards to a 31 year old foreigner?

Lancaster has publicly spoken of his belief that the age profile in the English camp is wrong and doesn't contain enough 26-31 year olds. He has not shown any shyness about handing out international caps to relatively elderly and inexperienced players. As such, I think some people are being too quick to dismiss this as a possibility...