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Stormers inside center Jonathan Roche, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has put the Irish provinces on alert after it was revealed he is weighing up a switch in international allegiance.
Cape Town-born Roche, 23, qualifies for an Irish passport through his paternal grandmother.
A physical, direct and highly competitive midfielder who can play at 13, Roche was part of the Stormers playing All black people on the Greatest Rivalry Tour this summer.
He could become the long-term successor to Bundee Aki or Robbie Henshaw, who are both nearing the end of their careers at the ages of 36 and 33.
A product of Bishops Diocesan College and the University of Cape Town, Roche quickly rose through the ranks and earned a call-up to the 2025 Springbok alignment camp.
He captained a strong Bishops side that blasted Paul Roos to 50 points over Rondebosch in the 2021 COVID-reduced season, and scored a hat-trick for Western Province in his Currie Cup debut against Griffins two years ago.
Rated as one of South Africa Rugby’s brightest centre, Roche scored his first two senior tries in a 49-12 Champions Cup win over Bristol Bears last weekend, but is now considering future options, including a move to Ireland.
Young people from South Africa are becoming popular in Ireland, with Ulster bought versatile full-back Rynard Gordon, who is Ireland-qualified with a Belfast family and, like Roche, played for Bishops Rugby.
South African under-18 flanker Josh Neill, who played club rugby for Western Province before joining Leinster’s Academy earlier this year, is already tipped to become a future Ireland Capt.
He quickly made an impact, scoring six tries in nine U20 games Six Nations Championship and World Junior Rugby World Cup.
