All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot has opened the door to a possible season in South Africa before the 2027 Rugby World Cup, despite recently signing a new long-term deal with New Zealand Rugby.

The 28-year-old agreed to remain in New Zealand through 2029 on August 13, 2026. However, De Groot says his contract does not necessarily rule out a temporary move overseas, with South Africa emerging as one of his preferred destinations.

Speaking during the All Blacks’ Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, the loosehead prop said he could consider spending an entire season in South Africa to sharpen his scrummaging and gain valuable experience ahead of the World Cup.

South Africa and France are particularly appealing to De Groot because of their reputation for producing powerful forward packs and their emphasis on scrum work.

The prop believes training and competing alongside South Africa’s physically imposing forwards could add another dimension to his game before New Zealand’s World Cup campaign.

His time in South Africa has also given him a taste for the local culture, with biltong, dried sausages and steaks among the food he has enjoyed during the tour.

For now, De Groot remains committed to New Zealand and there is no indication that he is considering a permanent move. Any overseas stint would instead be viewed as a sabbatical before returning home.

With the 2027 Rugby World Cup approaching, a season in South Africa could give the All Blacks front-rower an opportunity to test himself in one of the world’s strongest scrummaging environments and bring those lessons back to New Zealand.