A lock, Cronjé made his Springboks debut against New Zealand at Carisbrook in the 2003 Tri Nations Series. His career was subsequently impacted by accusations that during a pre-World Cup camp he had refused to share a room with coloured team-mate Quinton Davids on the basis of race. He was booted from the camp as a result and omitted from the final World Cup squad. Multiple enquiries later cleared him of racism.[2][3]
Cronjé earned two further Springboks caps in 2004. At the end of the year he signed a contract to play in England for Harlequins but due to a knee injury ended up being released without playing a game.[4]