Schalk Brits says forgotten Springbok lock Alistair Hargreaves has improved a lot as a player since joining English club Saracens.
Hargreaves, 28, played four Tests for the Boks in 2010 and 2011 but was always viewed as being too “lightweight” for the rigours of Test rugby.
Sport24
However, Brits believes his team-mate at the English club has matured nicely since joining Saracens from the Sharks in 2012.
In an interview, Brits said Hargreaves is in red-hot form for Saracens, who have a lot of South African players on their books.
“Earlier in his career he was criticised for not being physical enough, but play over here (in England) is more forward oriented,” said Brits.
The two will play for the World XV against the Springboks at Newlands on June 7 this year – a game in which both will be eager to impress Bok coach Heyneke Meyer.
They are two of six South Africans to play in the game. The others are Rory Kockott (Castres, France), BJ Botha (Munster, Ireland), Schalk Ferreira (Toulouse, France) and Juandré Kruger (Racing Metro, France).