Planet Rugby runs through the winners and losers from Erasmus's 46-man Nations Championship squad, and there's plenty of movement worth noting. The headline call-ups are Herschel Jantjies — back in the fold after three years out and a stint at Bayonne — and the U20 pair of Riley Norton and Vusi Moyo, who impressed enough against the Barbarians to leapfrog Junior World Championship duty. Among the other uncapped inclusions, Carlu Sadie's Champions Cup-winning form at Bordeaux-Bègles earns him a shot, while Embrose Papier's return after eight years in the cold — on the back of a URC Player of the Year award — is the standout recall from the Bulls contingent. On the losing side, Lukhanyo Am's Japan-based stint and Faf de Klerk's limited impact off the bench weren't enough to hold off younger competition, with both now headed to the Barbarians squad. Vincent Koch similarly makes way as Sadie and Zachary Porthen stake their claims at tighthead. The piece also flags the likes of Phepsi Buthelezi, Emmanuel Tshituka and several promising A-team performers who did enough to stay on the radar without forcing their way in.
Jantjies returns, U20 duo fast-tracked, and De Klerk left to join the Baa-baas
Herschel Jantjies ends a three-year Bok absence, Norton and Moyo are fast-tracked from U20 rugby, Papier returns after eight years, and De Klerk is left to join the Baa-baas — Planet Rugby breaks down the standout inclusions and omissions from Erasmus's Nations Championship squad.
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.
Record-breaking Papier back on Springbok radar as Bulls close in on Van der Westhuizen milestone
Embrose Papier is back on the Springbok radar after Rassie Erasmus's management contacted the Bulls scrumhalf following injuries to Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach, with Bulls coach Johan Ackermann confirming the development ahead of Papier's record-breaking 170th appearance for the franchise, which moves him past Joost van der Westhuizen.
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.
Dobson expects a tight final — and his post-match comments may have already told the Bulls what they need to fix
Dobson's post-match comments double as a scouting report on where the Bulls must improve defensively before facing Leinster, while Rich argues the weekend quietly confirmed SA rugby's growth on the road in knockout rugby.