Embrose Papier’s return to Test rugby has taken an unexpected twist, with the scrum-half released from the Springbok camp yet still not certain to start for the Bulls against the All Blacks in the new Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) series.
The 29-year-old, who only ended an eight-year absence from the Test arena earlier this month, was one of five players freed to rejoin their franchises for midweek fixtures against New Zealand – but Bulls director of rugby Johan Ackermann has warned he may opt to rest him.
Papier, who forced his way back into the national set-up on the back of an outstanding United Rugby Championship season for the Bulls, featured in South Africa’s win over Scotland on 11 July. Competition at scrum-half, however, remains fierce and he has again dropped out of the Springbok matchday plans, at least temporarily.
Erasmus: ‘Win-win’ for Boks and players
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed on Wednesday that a group of players would be released to gain extra game time with their franchises in the build-up to the RGR clashes against New Zealand.
“The players released to their franchises will also have an opportunity to face the All Blacks in their respective midweek games if they are selected, which will be invaluable for them once we decide on the final squad for RGR, so we see this as a win-win situation for the team and players,” Erasmus said.
The midweek fixtures against the All Blacks are part of the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, which sits alongside the upcoming Nations Championship. Erasmus is using the games to test depth, sharpen combinations and make final calls on several marginal selections.
Papier’s inclusion among those released was widely viewed as a surprise, given his climb back from the international wilderness and his recent role in Pretoria.
Bulls weigh rotation risk for All Blacks test
Despite Erasmus’ desire for the released players to gain more exposure, Ackermann indicated the Bulls would not automatically field Papier, raising the prospect that the scrum-half could miss out altogether.
“Embrose is going to need a proper opportunity to rest at some stage,” he told Netwerk24.
“We’ll probably only know in the week before the match whether any of our other Springboks will be released to play against the All Blacks.”
Ackermann must juggle the competing priorities of keeping one of his key playmakers fresh, managing player welfare and responding to the national team’s call for more high-intensity minutes against top opposition.
If Papier is held back, it would undercut Erasmus’ plan to turn the RGR midweek games into meaningful selection trials while highlighting the ongoing tug-of-war between international and franchise demands in an increasingly congested calendar.
Van Heerden the odd man out
Ruben van Heerden, who made his Springbok debut at lock in the win over Wales last Saturday, is the only player from the Nations Championship squad not assigned to either of the two RGR groups.
Having recently moved from the Stormers to Montpellier, Van Heerden is focusing on settling at his new French club but will remain on standby for the national squad.
Depth chart for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
Erasmus has named a wide-ranging pool of players across all positions as he looks to shape his final RGR squad.
Props: Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Begles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Boan Venter (Lions).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Saitama Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears).
Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers (Stormers), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Stormers), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls).
Scrum-halves: Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers).
Fly-halves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Sharks), Handre Pollard (Bulls).
Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba Brave Lupus), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers).
While Erasmus views the RGR fixtures as a critical audition phase, Papier’s uncertain role at the Bulls illustrates how player management and selection strategy can collide just weeks before South Africa and New Zealand renew one of rugby’s fiercest rivalries.
