Rassie Erasmus says that the Springboks hold no ill feelings towards Jeremy Ward, who could play for France next year.

The former Junior Boks captain has been training with Fabien Galthié’s squad this month despite only qualifying on residency grounds in 2027.

Ward represented the Southern Kings and Sharks during the early stages of his career before signing for Stade Français in 2022 and has been a revelation at the Parisian club.

Rassie Erasmus’ verdict on Jeremy Ward

His form has not gone unnoticed by the French national team, who clearly think that he can do a job in the midfield for them next year and the 30-year-old stated before his inclusion in the squad that he is open to the idea.

Erasmus was asked about Ward’s switch to France ahead of the Springboks meeting with Les Bleus in the Nations Championship and South Africa’s head coach said that the squad and coaches are happy for him.

“We are proud of those players like Duhan van der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman, and Kyle Steyn who didn’t make it in our system and got the opportunity elsewhere,” Erasmus said before adding that the centre wasn’t ever on their radar anyway.

“To be honest with you, we never really looked at him and considered him for a Springbok squad in my era. He has not been on a depth chart, not because he is bad; we just know the players who are playing in South Africa, and we track all the other players around the world, but if he’s in the mix for France, fantastic. It’s not like we don’t like South African players who are playing for other countries. It’s stupid.”

Erasmus believes that it would be daft to get upset about South African players representing other countries, considering that coaches aren’t put under the same scrutiny.

“Eddie Jones coaches Japan; he’s Australian. Dave Rennie coaches New Zealand now, but Australia before; Gatland coached Wales, so why would we be upset when players make a move, but when the coaches make a move, it’s not a problem? Jeremy is a Gqeberha boy, my hometown; if he makes it with them, lekker, we are happy for him.”

Following Benhard Janse van Rensberg

Ward looks set to be the second South African centre in recent times to represent another country, with Benhard Janse van Rensberg making his Test debut for England in July. Unlike Ward, Erasmus said that there was interest in selecting the Bristol Bears midfielder, but he was ultimately blocked by SA Rugby.

“We wanted to (play him) in June and give him a chance, because we were thin at centre and we had the Barbarians game and South Africa A game,” he said earlier this year. “Then, when I phoned the CEO, he said ‘No, you can’t, you promised me. I already committed to England and to World Rugby that we won’t go that route’.

“We were looking at him, and we wanted to cap him, but because of a promise I made to the CEO and one he made to World Rugby, we didn’t pursue it.”