South African Fourie proud to pull on an England shirt

Fourie hails from the sheep-farming town of Burgersdorp, the oldest in South Africa's eastern cape, and a battleground of the second Boer War. The English are not historically popular.

Burgersdorp is the site of the country's earliest Dutch language monument and Fourie did not start learning English until he was nine years old.

But modern international rugby is not restricted by language, birthplace or heritage. Fourie has followed Maori, Nigerians and fellow South Africans in playing for England.

On Saturday, the Leeds flanker with the broad Afrikaans accent will make his first Test start against Samoa, having won caps off the bench against New Zealand and Australia.

Asked whether he had any historical issues in donning the red rose, Fourie said: "No, not really. I am still proud of where I come from, my heritage, but I am here now. I am qualified for England and I am just as proud to pull on an England shirt at the weekend as I would be a South Africa shirt.

"My mum and dad shed a few tears when I came on against New Zealand. A guy from Burgersdorp sent me a text and said it sounded like South Africa had won the World Cup again when I came on.

"It has all been massively supportive. Everybody is proud and why shouldn't they be? I have achieved one of the greatest things in the sport. I am proper English now. Leeds is home and I go on holiday to South Africa."

Fourie, 31, has been a late developer. He joined Rotherham in the summer of 2005 when his provincial career with the Cheetahs hit the buffers, before moving to Leeds in 2007 where he has thrived under England's World Cup-winning openside Neil Back.

Fourie holds no affection for South African rugby any more. He accepted the invitation to play for the England Saxons in February and will sing the national anthem with gusto on Saturday.

"Last year it started snowballing. Someone asked me what I would say if Martin Johnson asked me to play for England. I said 'yes' immediately," recalled Fourie. "I was not going to play for South Africa. I was chucked off their radar when I left there.

"I don't think there has been anything written about me since. Nobody gave a thought to me from that side so I am not bothered about them.

"I started with the Saxons game in February and I thought 'if I can do that why not aim higher and go for international level?' Now I am here."

Fourie excelled for Leeds in the first half of last season, when the law interpretations allowed opensides greater scope to get their hands on the ball at the breakdown. Fourie then adapted with the changes that were introduced mid-way through last season, designed to give attacking sides a greater advantage, and he continued to impress England's forwards coach John Wells.

"He has put a run of quality performances together and shown he can play games. While people have this vision he is just a guy who is hard over the ball, he can do lots of other good things as well," said Wells.