South African Nick Schonert set to embark on new Test career

South African-born prop Nick Schonert has confirmed he has made himself available to play for Germany in the 2026 Rugby Europe Championship.

The 34-year-old, who is currently playing in France’s Pro D2 with Vannes, qualifies for the Black Eagles through the grandparent ruling, as both of his father’s parents were born there.

Schonert has long been aware of his German ancestry – extended family still lives in Hanover – but it took an approach from Vannes team-mate, German international Eric Marks, to persuade the experienced prop to give it a go.

“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,” said Schonert, explaining his rich ancestral tapestry.

“When I signed for Vannes I didn’t even think about it, but when I arrived Eric Marks was like, ‘you’re German, right, would you ever be interested?’

“I’ve done all I have ever wanted to do and rugby has been the most incredible job I have ever have. But chatting with Eric, he told me the whole spiel about what Germany has gone through the last few years – how they had a bit of a run and now they’re in a bit of a slump.

“I know they have the likes of BJ Botha, the ex-South African tight-head, who in my opinion was one of the best technical scrummagers, working with them, he’s the scrum coach. They are putting a lot of effort into it.

“It’s not that Germany need a 34-year-old tight-head with a dodgy back to come and help them, and I am not trying to win the Webb Ellis trophy with them.

“But if I can help to steady the ship and add a bit experience, I am happy to play my part.

“I am trying to say no to as few a things as possible now, because I know that in 18 months’ time, rugby could be done and I’ll be onto the next chapter.”

Schonert’s only previous experience of international rugby was as a Junior Springbok in 2011, when World Cup-winning legends Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Mbongeni Mbonambi were team-mates.

The tight-head did come close to England honours under Eddie Jones during his seven years with Worcester, qualifying through his Reading-born maternal grandmother. However, a broken finger ruled him out of England’s tour of Argentina in 2017, and he was forced to withdraw from England’s autumn camp in 2018 through injury too.

He did represent England against the Barbarians in 2018, and was on standby for the last two Rugby World Cups.

“England was the frustrating one. I was with them for both World Cups, I was always the non-travelling reserve for the 2019 and 2023 World Cups,” he admitted.

“I was very unfortunate but also, in my mind, I was behind guys like Dan Cole; I had a bit of a crush on him. If that’s the guy that kept me out of it, then so be it.”

After Worcester, Schonert spent four seasons with Sale Sharks, but he struggled for game time after having half of his heel removed and was released in April this year. He was snapped up by Japan Rugby League One outfit Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars on a short-term deal but didn’t play a game.

After 14 rounds of the current Pro D2 season, Vannes are flying high at the top of the table and Schonert has yet to be on the losing side, although injury has restricted him to just five appearances. When he has played, Schonert has been a surprise try threat, crossing five times, which is more than he’d managed in his entire club career up to that point.

“In 12 years of playing rugby in England, I scored three tries,” Schonert revealed.

“One was at the bottom of a maul against Quins and the season before that, in April 2018, I scored against Newcastle. I have the video of it for proof! And there was one more, I think (also for Worcester in the Championship).

“I was never interesting in scoring tries, I’d rather get a scrum penalty.

“It’s just been quite weird, I just keep ending up close to the try line with the ball and scoring. I think the total distance ran is no more than five metres, though.

“When I was a kid, my Mum used to says she’d give me x amount of pocket money if I scored a try. Unfortunately, I am scoring all these tries at 34, so that offer is off the table!”

Schonert has been having fun at a couple of his team-mates’ expense. “I try to act like it (scoring a try) doesn’t affect me, I just turn around and run back to the halfway line.

“It’s comical in a way. We have a team-mate, Fabrice (Metz), a lock, who hasn’t scored in his entire career, something like 300 French games

“The last try I scored he was literally about 20cms short and I just picked the ball up and put it over the line. Thirteen other players and myself were celebrating and he was one Frenchman at the bottom swearing at me. I thought it was hilarious.”

Schonert’s move to Vannes hasn’t been totally pain free – a torn bicep required surgery in September – but, by and large, he is playing with a smile on his face again and has put the dark days at Sale behind him.

“I didn’t think I would be able to get back after being out for so long,” he admitted.

“I had a bone spur that was growing into the Achilles and they had to remove half of my heel. I have now got bone that has thankfully hardened over the last 18 months, so it is completely, touch wood, a thing of the past. I have had no pain whatsoever.

“It was a hell of an operation. It was about two months before I could walk again. It is all good now, but my wife still hates me for it because I literally had the op a few months after our first child was born so she had to do the majority of the chores!”