Eight years is a long time to wait for a second chance, but Embrose Papier insists the excitement of pulling on the Springbok jersey again outweighs any nerves ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld (kick-off 5.40pm).
The in-form Bulls scrum-half is poised for his first Test appearance since 2018, after forcing his way back into the national picture with a couple of outstanding domestic seasons, and he says the opportunity is one he has never stopped working towards.
“There have always been nerves before a Test match,” Papier said at Monday’s team announcement, alongside Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus. “I’m super excited for the opportunity and now we’re just looking forward to the game.”
Erasmus revealed that Papier’s return is the reward for consistency rather than circumstance, even though injuries and dips in form elsewhere have also created an opening in a fiercely competitive position.
“When I first coached in 2018 and 2019, he got eight caps,” Erasmus said. “But there were guys like Faf (de Klerk), Cobus (Reinach), Jaden (Hendrikse) and Herschel (Jantjies) who were all playing really well. Sometimes it’s not because one player isn’t Springbok class; it’s just because the other players are also playing really well.
“I don’t think any of us can look past how well Embrose played this year. Some guys got injured, some lost form, and he gathered form. We’re very happy for him personally and it’s great for us as Springboks to have him back.”
Papier’s domestic form made a compelling case for a recall. He was named the URC South African Player of the Season after helping the Bulls to reach the final and was selected in the competition’s Elite XV after scoring 11 tries, the most by any scrum-half.
He also topped his positional charts with 550m gained, 15 clean breaks and 25 defenders beaten, while completing 653 passes at an outstanding 97% accuracy. Add five try assists and it is little surprise Erasmus felt his form had become impossible to ignore.
Papier’s return also reunites him with Bulls flyhalf Handré Pollard, a combination Erasmus believes will smooth the transition back into Test rugby.
“He gets his opportunity at home with Handré, who he’s played a lot of rugby with,” Erasmus said.
“Hopefully, that helps him. Although he’s got eight or nine caps, he’s playing alongside somebody he knows well and is familiar with on the field.”
Papier echoed that sentiment, saying the understanding built at franchise level should prove valuable, even if the demands of international rugby are different.
“Handré has a lot of experience. We spend a lot of time together on the pitch and I’m excited to go into this game with him,” he said.
“We know it’s a different calling in the Springbok environment. We just need to pitch up on the day and give our all.”
Despite finally getting another opportunity, Papier is treating his recall as the beginning of a new journey rather than the culmination of an old one.
“It’s exciting to be back, but I still need to grow and work hard to earn my place here,” he said.
“It’s all about putting the team first. Whether you’re playing or preparing the guys during the week, you have to give everything for the team.”
For Erasmus, Saturday’s match is another chance to test the Springboks’ growing depth ahead of next year’s World Cup. For Papier, it is the opportunity he has spent almost eight years waiting to seize.
