Major League Rugby's Houston SaberCats are increasingly turning to South African talent to fill their roster - and it's all thanks to their heavy-hitting director of rugby.
Former England international Jacob Umaga has been named in the Manu Samoa squad for the Test against Scotland in July,and the Pacific Nations Cup in August and September.
In addition to more familiar names like AJ MacGinty, Cam Dolan, and David Ainu'u, former Germany international Chris Hilsenbeck has been included in the USA's extended player squad for 2025 when 2027 World Cup qualification is on the line.
Major League Rugby has unveiled a new-look schedule for the 2025 season, with teams competing for glory across a 16-week regular season and three playoff rounds.
Three rising stars from Major League Rugby are in line to potentially make their international debuts in an intriguing Test this weekend.
Pono Davis has a big work ethic to match his considerable size. The hulking tighthead prop from the aptly named Big Island in Hawaii stands 188cm and 136kg.
A crowd of 33,210 turned up at the now-closed Newlands to see an age-grade South African side inspired by a then 18-year-old Handre Pollard end the four-year grip that the New Zealanders had on the title.
The 28-year-old, who has won six caps since making his debut in The Rugby Championship win over Argentina in August 2021, played 20 times for the Stormers this season, whom he joined from Bordeaux in 2022.
It is unlikely to be enough to tempt May into moving to SA XV, who finished in 12th place in this season’s Pro D2. He is likely to hold out for a move to America’s Major League Rugby rather than sign for less than he believes he is worth.