A fullback at that. We will be playing ourselves in the future!
Ex Sport 24
Bayonne full-back Scott Spedding became the fifth South African to be called up to the France squad during the Philippe Saint-André era over the weekend.
The 28-year-old, who was born in Krugersdorp, joins Racing Metro loose forwards Antonie Claassen and Bernard le Roux as well as Castres scrum-half Rory Kockott and Clermont prop Daniel Kotze to be called up to Les Bleussince Saint-André took over as coach after the 2011 World Cup.
Spedding replaces the injured Brice Dulin in the squad for France's November tests against Fiji, Australia and Argentina.
Although born and raised in South Africa, Spedding's selection should not be categorised as just another mercenary playing for a foreign country.
Indeed, he become a French citizen earlier this year having moved to Brive from the Sharks back in 2008 and his heart is clearly with France.
Spedding joined Bayonne in 2012 and since his arrival the full-back has been consistently one of the top performers for his club, along with being one of the best 15s in the country.
Professionally, he has played more seasons in the Top 14 than in his native South Africa. A debut year with the Lions in 2005 preceded his time in Durban before the move to Europe.
An emotional Spedding thanked his parents, and in particular his father, for making the sacrifices that have seen him earn his first call-up by his adopted country, and said he burst into tears when he got the news from France assistant coach Patrice Lagisquet (nicknamed the 'Bayonne Express' in his playing days as a quicksilver winger).
"My first thought was for my family. I am thinking about my father in particular," said Spedding.
"My father was always there for me. This is thanks to them (parents) because they made huge sacrifices for me. This is an unbelievable moment.
"It has been a long road to arrive at this. It is a huge moment in my life.
"It was always a dream for me but I never thought it would happen. I hope it is just the beginning.
"Each time a squad was announced since 2011 when I was eligible for selection and I wasn't in it I lost hope, although I kept the dream alive in a small locker in my head," he added.
"I was seeing the years advance, even if I still have a few ahead of me in terms of playing. Patrice Lagisquet simply told me he had a plane ticket for me.
"I already know the 'Marseillaise'. I am French."
Spedding could well start against Fiji next weekend as his main rival for the position, Maxime Medard, is also struggling to be fit, having suffered a groin injury in Toulouse's Top 14 win over Lyon on Saturday.
His selection has not gone down well in all quarters though with former France legend Émile Ntamack saying last week that unless there was a limit on nationalised players within a test team, then the side wouldn't feel like a true representation of France.
Ntamack's comments weren't an attack on individuals wanting to switch countries; he understands the ambition of wanting to play in a Rugby World Cup, adding that players would even turn out for Peru if they could. His worry is selecting a high number of those players would take away the meaning of playing for Les Bleus.
Ntamacks comments are blowing in the wind as the frogs simply can' t get enough SA players to prop up their rugby teams.
