Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers have backed Rassie's alignment camp selections as proof that URC form genuinely opens the door back into the Bok setup. Burger is enthusiastic about Evan Roos's recall but doesn't shy away from the caveat — a measurable error rate (the most turnovers by a forward in the URC this season, joint-fourth in penalties conceded) is a real weakness that needs addressing at Test level. His argument is that when Roos is carrying hard and getting over the gainline, the Stormers are at their best, and that attacking impact justifies the selection risk. De Villiers broadens the point, citing Embrose Papier — back in the reckoning for the first time since 2018 — and Francke Horn as further evidence that Erasmus is consistently honouring the form-trumps-everything principle. Both legends frame this as a healthy cultural signal: players know exactly what they need to do to force their way back in.
Burger: Roos earns his Bok recall — but the soft-skill weakness is real
Burger endorses Roos's Bok recall but flags a genuine soft-skill concern, while De Villiers uses Papier and Horn to argue Erasmus's selection culture consistently rewards sustained URC form.
Rassie makes contact with Papier as Bulls scrum-half closes in on Joost's appearance record
Rassie Erasmus has been in direct contact with Bulls scrum-half Embrose Papier amid the 29-year-old's standout 2025/26 season, with Papier also set to surpass Joost van der Westhuizen as the Bulls' most-capped number nine against Zebre Parma on Saturday.
Papier backs improved decision-making and kicking game for Springbok recall after eight-year absence
Embrose Papier has discussed the improvements in his decision-making, kicking and game management that earned him a place in the Springboks' second alignment camp — his first national involvement since 2018 — after a standout 2025/26 season with the Bulls.
What Bordeaux's Champions Cup demolition of Leinster means for SA's URC finals hopes
Rich uses Bordeaux's physical demolition of Leinster as a lens on SA's URC finals prospects — arguing the Stormers cost themselves and their SA counterparts dearly by failing to secure second place, while flagging a scrumhalf depth problem that extends beyond the URC and straight into Erasmus's Bok planning.
Papier opens up on eight-year Bok exile and what earned him his alignment camp return
Embrose Papier has detailed the tactical and mental growth that earned him a place in the Springboks' second alignment camp after an eight-year absence from the national setup, with nine tries this season underlining the form that brought him back into Erasmus' thinking.
Rennie's word for his All Blacks reset: 'Brutality'
Martin Devlin reports that Dave Rennie has told New Zealand media his All Blacks reset centres on 'brutality' over flair — and that Rennie privately selected Richie Mwanga for the tour opener despite NZR eligibility rules blocking him, a conflict Devlin says NZ rugby has yet to resolve.