At the ripe age of 34, Nick Schonert, a former Junior Springbok, is gearing up to switch his allegiance and make a striking Test debut. Currently anchoring the scrum for Vannes in France's Pro D2 league, Schonert has thrown his hat into the ring for Germany, thanks to his grandparental lineage.
The tighthead prop revealed his diverse background in a chat with RugbyPass:
"I am a bit of German, bit of English, bit of South African, and if you dig even deeper, there is a bit of Scottish on my Mum’s side as well,"
Schonert said. His international rugby aspirations were kindled by a teammate’s casual inquiry about his German roots.
Discussing his motivations, Schonert is candid about his intentions: "I’ve done all I have ever wanted to do and rugby has been the most incredible job I have ever had." He further shared insights from his conversation with teammate Eric Marks, who highlighted the recent ups and downs of German rugby. With former Bok prop BJ Botha coaching them in the scrums, Germany is putting significant resources into their rugby program.
Despite his extensive rugby career in South Africa and England, amassing impressive caps with Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks, Schonert’s move to Germany is not about personal glory.
"It’s not that Germany need a 34-year-old tighthead with a dodgy back to come and help them, and I am not trying to win the Webb Ellis Cup with them. But if I can help to steady the ship and add a bit experience, I am happy to play my part,"
he expressed.
Schonert’s first and only brush with international rugby was back in 2011 with the Junior Boks, where he shared the field with now-renowned players like Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, and Bongi Mbonambi. As he prepares to add a new chapter to his rugby journey, the rugby world watches keenly to see how this seasoned prop will impact the German team in the upcoming 2026 Rugby Europe Championship.
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At the ripe age of 34, Nick Schonert, a former Junior Springbok, is gearing up to switch his allegiance and make a striking Test debut. Currently anchoring the scrum for Vannes in France's Pro D2 league, Schonert has thrown his hat into the ring for Germany, thanks to his grandparental lineage.
The tighthead prop revealed his diverse background in a chat with RugbyPass:
"I am a bit of German, bit of English, bit of South African, and if you dig even deeper, there is a bit of Scottish on my Mum’s side as well,"
Schonert said. His international rugby aspirations were kindled by a teammate’s casual inquiry about his German roots.Discussing his motivations, Schonert is candid about his intentions: "I’ve done all I have ever wanted to do and rugby has been the most incredible job I have ever had." He further shared insights from his conversation with teammate Eric Marks, who highlighted the recent ups and downs of German rugby. With former Bok prop BJ Botha coaching them in the scrums, Germany is putting significant resources into their rugby program.
Despite his extensive rugby career in South Africa and England, amassing impressive caps with Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks, Schonert’s move to Germany is not about personal glory.
"It’s not that Germany need a 34-year-old tighthead with a dodgy back to come and help them, and I am not trying to win the Webb Ellis Cup with them. But if I can help to steady the ship and add a bit experience, I am happy to play my part,"
he expressed.Schonert’s first and only brush with international rugby was back in 2011 with the Junior Boks, where he shared the field with now-renowned players like Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, and Bongi Mbonambi. As he prepares to add a new chapter to his rugby journey, the rugby world watches keenly to see how this seasoned prop will impact the German team in the upcoming 2026 Rugby Europe Championship.