After a spectacular domestic season with the Bulls, Embrose Papier is back in the Springbok matchday 23 to face Scotland this weekend. Photo: Backpagepix
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.
