Rassie explains Embrose Papier’s long-awaited Bok return

SPOTLIGHT: A lot has changed since Embrose Papier made his Springbok debut in 2018.

Back then, the Boks were still finding their rhythm under Rassie Erasmus, while Embrose, just 21 years old at the time, had only recently burst onto the scene as one of South Africa’s brightest young scrumhalves.

However, things didn’t work out for him, and he spent countless seasons on the sidelines, watching as the Boks dominated World rugby and became two-time World Champions.

All Papier could do was dare to dream of wearing the green and gold jersey again.

Fast forward eight years, and the Bulls stalwart finds himself back in the Bok fold ahead of Round Two of the Nations Championship against Scotland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

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It is a fitting full-circle moment for Papier, who made his debut against Wales but got his first start for the Boks against Scotland.

On that rain-soaked night at Murrayfield, he formed a halfback partnership with Handre Pollard, and the Boks won that match 26-20, and he was lauded by Erasmus for his performance.

The Bulls duo will turn back time on Saturday against the same opponents, and Papier looks forward to the challenge.

“I think there are always nerves before a Test match, but I’m super excited for the opportunity,” he told reporters in Johannesburg on Monday.

“We all know Handre [Pollard] has a lot of experience. We’ve spent a lot of time together on the pitch, and I’m just excited to go into this game with him.

“It’s different in the Springbok environment, but we just need to pitch up on the day and give it our all.”

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Papier’s inclusion in the Bok squad doesn’t come as a surprise after the prolific United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign he had with the Bulls.

The 29-year-old played a massive role in aiding the side to the URC Final and was central to their success after a slow start to the season.

He scored 12 tries, had 15 clean line breaks, registered six assists and beat 27 defenders throughout the season.

In total, Papier gained just over 500 metres combined.

These are stats Erasmus couldn’t ignore, and he explained his reasons for recalling him after eight years.

“Firstly, I thought he played really well this season,” Erasmus said.

“My first year of coaching was in 2018/19, and he’s got seven caps now, and most of them were at that stage.

“Guys like Faf [De Klerk], Cobus [Reinach], Jaden [Hendrikse], and a few of the guys who were established were part of two World Cups, and there were a real bunch of good nines, playing really well.

“Sometimes it’s not because the player is not playing well enough or is not Springbok class; it’s just because there are other guys that are playing really well.

“I think none of us can look past the fact that he played well this year, and then obviously there are some injured players and some guys who lost form, and he gathered form.

“He gets the opportunity at home with Handre, where he’s played a lot of rugby, so hopefully that helps him.”

Papier’s experience against Scottish players could also come in handy for Erasmus’s side.

He will be familiar with many of Scotland’s players having faced them in the URC over the past five seasons.

He scored an important try against the Glasgow Warriors in the URC semifinal and has faced Edinburgh several times.

More than anything, though, Papier is embracing the chance to be part of the Springbok environment once again.

“It’s great working under the coaches,” he added.

“I’m learning a lot every day. I’ve missed a lot of guys, and a lot of familiar faces, so it’s just great to be in the environment and learning from the guys.”