Janse van Rensburg denies Erasmus' claim of Springbok call-up talks

Centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg has admitted that he "probably would have loved to" play for his native South Africa, but denied Rassie Erasmus' claim he was in talks over a Springboks call-up before making his England debut.

Janse van Rensburg, who represented South Africa's under-20 side, became eligible for England this summer after living in the country for five years and scored on his Test bow against Fiji in Liverpool in July.

The previous week South Africa head coach Erasmus had claimed Van Rensburg had been "very keen" in talks with Springboks officials, but ultimately wasn't selected.

"I only heard about it because my dad told me Rassie said it," Janse van Rensburg told Rugby Union Weekly.

"I would have probably loved to, but really every team I play for, I want to do my best and whatever comes after that, comes after that.

"I hadn't heard anything from them. Whatever he said, whether that was true or not, I didn't know about it."

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The selection of the 29-year-old for England ahead of talents brought through the domestic system has attracted criticism.