Brendan Venter, the South African World Cup winner, believes that Scott Spurling has a bright future after he signed a two-year contact with Saracens.

Venter, the club's outgoing director of rugby, was impressed by Spurling during pre-season. The hooker will link up with the club's senior academy next July after completing his A-levels at Harrow School where he is on a sports scholarship.

Spurling said: "Brendan said I had good potential but must continue to work hard. I believe that I can play for England. Otherwise, I'd be playing in the park with my mates."

Spurling, 17, was scheduled to make his England Under 18s debut against Ireland later this month but injury has ruled him out. He tore a cartilage playing for Saracens Storm (2nd XI) in the last minute of a match seven weeks ago. He hopes to return in time for a match against Italy in February ahead of the Under 18 Six Nations starting in France in April.

"I stay focused by knowing that one day I will be the best. I don't want to be Jonny Wilkinson. I want to be Scott Spurling."

A member at Stanmore Synagogue, Spurling started playing the sport at school aged 11 and has gone on to play representative rugby for Middlesex (Under 14), the South East and at Under 16 level. He left Wasps in 2008.

His father, Stuart, played badminton for England while grandfather, Terry, used to played football for Wingate FC.