Jonathan Roche prioritizes Springboks over Irish rugby interest

Stormers centre Jonathan Roche has reportedly turned down interest from Irish rugby, expressing a desire to represent South Africa. Although the 23-year-old is eligible to play for Ireland through his paternal grandmother, his representatives state he remains a “South African through-and-through” and aims to play for the Springboks.

Roche, who is also eligible to represent Zimbabwe through his father’s lineage, previously declined an approach from Zimbabwe. While his current contract with the Stormers expires at the end of the season, his agent, Matt Norton of Roc Nation Sports International, indicated that Roche intends to extend his contract with the Cape Town-based club.

The player has recently seen increased visibility following a performance in the Investec Champions Cup against the Bristol Bears, where he scored two tries.