Can a player who has played for another country switch to the Springboks?

Only in limited cases. Under World Rugby Regulation 8, a player who has played for one country's senior 15s team, next-senior 15s team (such as an A side) or senior sevens team is captured and can't play at those levels for another country.

The exception is a birthright transfer. A player may switch once if:

• they were born in the new country, or a parent or grandparent was born there; and
• at least three years have passed since they last played for their former country; and
• World Rugby approves the transfer.

A player may transfer only once, so no player can represent more than two countries in their lifetime.