Ex-All Blacks Winger Mark Tele'a Could Switch Allegiance and Play for Springboks
- Mark Tele'a, a 19-cap All Blacks winger, moved to Japan and put his New Zealand career on hold
- The 29-year-old qualifies for South Africa through his father, who was born in Johannesburg
- World Rugby regulations could open a path for Tele'a to represent the Springboks from late 2027
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Former All Blacks winger Mark Tele'a could be on course to represent the Springboks after leaving New Zealand rugby for a stint in Japan, triggering a countdown under World Rugby's change-of-allegiance rules.
Source: Getty Images
The 29-year-old earned 19 caps for New Zealand, scoring 13 tries after making his Test debut against Scotland in 2022. His final appearance in an All Blacks jersey came against Italy on 23 November 2024, after which he departed for Japan. Under New Zealand Rugby's overseas selection policy, that move has effectively placed his All Blacks career on hold.
Tele'a's South African connection
Tele'a holds a qualifying connection to South Africa through his father, who was born in Johannesburg, and he can also represent Samoa through his mother's lineage.
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World Rugby regulations permit a capped player to switch international allegiance after a three-year stand-down period, provided they hold a legitimate qualifying connection to their new country. On that basis, Tele'a could become eligible to represent the Springboks from 23 November 2027, as long as he does not pull on the All Blacks jersey again before then.
That date falls after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, meaning any potential Springbok debut would only be possible in the subsequent World Cup cycle.
Source: Getty Images
Tele'a has left the door open
The winger has already signalled he would be open to such a move. When asked whether he would consider representing South Africa if approached, Tele'a said:
"If they asked me and the moment was right, yeah."
Selection would not be guaranteed. South Africa's backline is among the most competitive in world rugby, with considerable depth out wide. However, the Springboks have previously used the change-of-allegiance pathway to strengthen their squad. Lock Jean Kleyn represented Ireland before switching to South Africa, going on to become a Rugby World Cup winner in 2023.
Should Tele'a complete the stand-down period and earn selection, he would become one of the most high-profile players to switch from the All Blacks to the Springboks, adding a striking new dimension to rugby's fiercest international rivalry.
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Source: Briefly News
