How JJ Smuts is Eligible to Play for Italy Cricket Team Despite Not Having Visited or Lived in the Country

As Italy prepares for its maiden appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the inclusion of former South African all-rounder JJ Smuts has sparked significant discussion. Smuts, who earned 19 caps for the Proteas between 2017 and 2021, is set to become a key figure for the "Azzurri" without ever having visited or lived in the country he now represents. Wayne Madsen Who Played at Hockey World Cup 20 Years Ago, Set to Represent Italy at T20 World Cup 2026.

The 37-year-old’s journey to the Italian national side is a prime example of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) "heritage" eligibility rules, which allow players to represent a nation based on nationality rather than physical residency.

How JJ Smuts Became Eligible to Play for Italy

Smuts’ eligibility is derived from his wife, Judi (née Castignani), whose family history provided a direct link to Italian citizenship. Under the legal principle of Jure Sanguinis (Right of Blood), Italian citizenship can be passed down through generations if the ancestor never renounced their original nationality.

According to Smuts, his wife’s great-grandfather emigrated from Italy to South Africa but maintained his Italian status. This enabled Judy to claim an Italian passport, and subsequently, Smuts became eligible for Italian nationality through marriage. Once he obtained his Italian passport, he fulfilled the ICC’s primary "Nationality" criteria, which bypasses the need for the standard three-year residency period.

ICC Eligibility Regulations

The ICC Player Eligibility Handbook outlines three main ways a player can represent a national team:

1. Birth: Being born in the country.

2. Nationality: Holding a valid passport of the country.

3. Residency: Living in the country for a minimum of three years (for men) or two years (for women).

By securing a passport through his ancestral ties, Smuts met the second criteria. Additionally, because his last appearance for South Africa was in April 2021, he surpassed the mandatory three-year "cooling-off" period required for players switching from a Full Member nation to an Associate Member.

A Strategic Addition for Italy

Italy's selection of Smuts is a calculated move to bolster a squad that has historically relied on players with diverse backgrounds. Smuts joins other "dual internationals" like captain Wayne Madsen (South Africa) and Grant Stewart (Australia/England) in an Italian side that has embraced a global recruitment strategy. Thomas Jack Draca Quick Facts: Here’s All You Need To Know About Italian Bowler.

Italy’s debut World Cup campaign begins in Group C, where they will face formidable opponents in England and the West Indies. The presence of an experienced all-rounder like Smuts, who has already proven his worth with a match-winning 49 off 37 balls in a recent warm-up against Canada, is expected to provide the tactical maturity needed for Associate nations to challenge established powers.