Schoeman hopes to play for B&I Lions

SPOTLIGHT: Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman has not played for Scotland yet, but he already has the British and Irish Lions on his mind.

Schoeman will be able to represent Scotland much sooner than expected after World Rugby extended the three-year residency rule due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The residency rule is set to change to a five-year term at the end of 2021.

READ: World Rugby’s eligibility rule

It means the 26-year-old South African prop will be up eligible for Scotland in the middle of next year – rather than in 2023.

The former Bulls prop moved to Edinburgh in 2018 and has been tipped for higher honours in Scotland after strong performances in the Pro14 in the last few seasons.

“Instead of having to wait for five years I now qualify next year,” Schoeman told the Rapport newspaper.

“This is a huge motivation for me and it’s not about the money. You want to be able to tell your child one day you played international rugby and against the best. It’s every rugby players dream.”

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Schoeman is cautious about looking too far ahead, but he already has big goals and that includes playing for the B&I Lions.

“To play for the Bulls was the greatest honour for me. Running out onto the pitch at Loftus was a huge milestone,” he said

“Now it’s Edinburgh, then Scotland and then hopefully the B&I Lions. I’d love to play in a World Cup, but right now it’s one step at a time.”

Schoeman was one of four South Africans named in the Pro14’s Dream Team for the 2019/2020 season.

“It’s also nice to see other South Africans making it into the dream team. Joseph Dweba, Jaco van der Walt and Duhan van der Merwe are all there with me.

“Duhan has already qualified to play for Scotland, Jaco will in November and I will be next year July.”

Source: Rapport