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.
Springbok Recall! Relive Phepsi Buthelezi's 2025/26 Season
#SharksRugby #PhepsiButhelezi #Springboks
Buthelezi and Sadie called up as Springbok camp gets under way in Johannesburg
Phepsi Buthelezi and Carlu Sadie have joined the Springbok camp in Johannesburg, with the Stormers players also reporting in after their URC semifinal in Ireland. The squad for the Nations Championship will be announced on 21 June.
Papier named URC Player of the Season as Bulls prepare for Glasgow semifinal
Embrose Papier has been named SA Vodacom URC Player of the Season after scoring 11 tries and producing standout stats across the campaign, with the Bulls scrumhalf also eyeing a first Springbok recall since 2018 ahead of Saturday's semifinal against Glasgow.
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.